Make sure the heights are expressed in the same unit.
1/8 or 1:8
Practice makes perfect
A ratio is a comparison of two quantities by division. We can write a ratio of two numbers a and b, where b ≠0, in three ways.
a/b a : b a to b
We usually express a and b in the same unit and write the ratio in the simplest form. We are given the following heights.
Model bookcase:& 6 in
Real bookcase:& 4 ft
Let's write the ratio of the second height to the first height.
6 in/4 ft
Notice that the units of our heights are different, so we need to express both heights in the same unit. Therefore, we will convert 4 feet into inches by multiplying it by the appropriate conversion factor, 12in1ft.
4 ft * 12 in/1 ft= (4 * 12) in =48 in
Finally, we can write the ratio as a fraction in its simplest form.
