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Easy Guide: Simplifying Ratios with Decimals, Fractions & Whole Numbers for Kids

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Zuzanna <3

04/09/2025

Maths

Ratios

287

•

4 Sept 2025

•

3 pages

Easy Guide: Simplifying Ratios with Decimals, Fractions & Whole Numbers for Kids

user profile picture

Zuzanna <3

@zuzanna_018

Hey there! Ready to master simplifying ratios with decimals and whole numbers? This guide makes it super simple with examples and worksheets. Learn how to simplify ratios with fractions, use calculators, and even convert decimals to ratios in Excel. Perfect for solving ratio word problems and finding unknown ratios step by step. Dive in to make math fun and easy!

X÷ Ratios Ratios are proportional representations of certain data. They are an ordered pair of numbers a and b written as a:b ↓ Example 1) s

Advanced Ratio Concepts and Applications

This page delves into more complex aspects of ratios, including expressing ratios as fractions, sharing quantities in given ratios, and finding unknown ratios in word problems.

Expressing ratios as fractions is a useful skill that allows for a different perspective on proportional relationships. To do this, add the parts of the ratio to find the total, then express each part as a fraction of this total.

Example: For a room painted blue and green in the ratio 2:3, the total parts are 2 + 3 = 5. The fraction painted blue is 2/5, and the fraction painted green is 3/5.

Sharing in a given ratio is a common application of ratio concepts. This involves dividing a total quantity according to the proportions specified by a ratio.

Example: To share £25 in the ratio 2:3, first find the total parts (2 + 3 = 5), then divide the total amount by this (£25 ÷ 5 = £5 per part). Finally, multiply each ratio part by this amount (2 × £5 = £10 and 3 × £5 = £15).

Finding unknown ratios in word problems requires careful analysis and step-by-step problem-solving. This often involves working backwards from known quantities to determine unknown parts of a ratio.

Example: In a sports team with a girl-to-boy ratio of 4:5 and 12 girls, we first calculate that 1 part of the ratio equals 3 people (12 ÷ 4). Then, we multiply this by the boys' part of the ratio (3 × 5 = 15) to find that there are 15 boys in the team.

These techniques are essential for solving ratio word problems and demonstrate the practical applications of ratio concepts in real-world scenarios.

X÷ Ratios Ratios are proportional representations of certain data. They are an ordered pair of numbers a and b written as a:b ↓ Example 1) s

Advanced Applications of Ratios

This page explores more sophisticated applications of ratios, including scale factors and combining multiple ratios into a single expression.

Scale factors are a practical application of ratios, commonly used in map-making and model construction. They represent the relationship between actual sizes and their representations.

Example: For a map with a scale of 2cm : 3.5km, to find the map distance for an actual distance of 8.5km, we calculate (2 ÷ 3.5) × 8.5 = 4.9cm (to 1 decimal place).

Combining multiple ratios into a single expression is a more advanced technique that requires identifying common factors and using the concept of lowest common multiples (LCM).

Example: To combine the ratios a:b = 3:8 and b:c = 6:11 into a single ratio a:b:c, we first identify b as the common factor. We then find the LCM of the b values (24) and adjust the other parts of the ratios accordingly, resulting in the combined ratio of 9:24:44.

These advanced applications demonstrate the versatility of ratio concepts in solving complex problems and representing relationships between multiple quantities. They are particularly useful in fields such as engineering, architecture, and data analysis.

Highlight: Understanding these advanced ratio techniques enhances problem-solving skills and provides a foundation for more complex mathematical concepts.

X÷ Ratios Ratios are proportional representations of certain data. They are an ordered pair of numbers a and b written as a:b ↓ Example 1) s

Understanding Ratios and Their Simplification

Ratios are an essential concept in mathematics, representing proportional relationships between quantities. This page introduces the basics of ratios and demonstrates how to simplify them using whole numbers and decimals.

Definition: A ratio is an ordered pair of numbers a and b, written as a:b, that represents a proportional relationship between two quantities.

The process of simplifying ratios involves finding the highest common factor (HCF) of the numbers in the ratio and dividing both sides by this factor. This technique is applicable to ratios with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.

Example: To simplify a ratio of 6 boys to 8 girls (6:8), we identify the HCF as 2. Dividing both sides by 2 results in the simplified ratio of 3:4.

When dealing with ratios with decimals, the first step is to convert the decimals to whole numbers by multiplying both sides of the ratio by an appropriate factor. Then, the simplification process can proceed as usual.

Example: To simplify the ratio 6:1.5, multiply both sides by 2 to get 12:3. The HCF of 12 and 3 is 3, so dividing both sides by 3 gives the simplified ratio of 4:1.

For ratios with fractions, the approach involves converting the fractions to a common denominator, multiplying both sides by this denominator to obtain whole numbers, and then simplifying as before.

Highlight: When simplifying ratios with different units, always convert to the smaller unit before proceeding with the simplification process.



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Where can I download the Knowunity app?

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4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Maths

•

287

•

4 Sept 2025

•

3 pages

Easy Guide: Simplifying Ratios with Decimals, Fractions & Whole Numbers for Kids

user profile picture

Zuzanna <3

@zuzanna_018

Hey there! Ready to master simplifying ratios with decimals and whole numbers? This guide makes it super simple with examples and worksheets. Learn how to simplify ratios with fractions, use calculators, and even convert decimals to ratios in Excel. Perfect for solving ratio word problems and finding unknown ratios step by step. Dive in to make math fun and easy!

X÷ Ratios Ratios are proportional representations of certain data. They are an ordered pair of numbers a and b written as a:b ↓ Example 1) s

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Advanced Ratio Concepts and Applications

This page delves into more complex aspects of ratios, including expressing ratios as fractions, sharing quantities in given ratios, and finding unknown ratios in word problems.

Expressing ratios as fractions is a useful skill that allows for a different perspective on proportional relationships. To do this, add the parts of the ratio to find the total, then express each part as a fraction of this total.

Example: For a room painted blue and green in the ratio 2:3, the total parts are 2 + 3 = 5. The fraction painted blue is 2/5, and the fraction painted green is 3/5.

Sharing in a given ratio is a common application of ratio concepts. This involves dividing a total quantity according to the proportions specified by a ratio.

Example: To share £25 in the ratio 2:3, first find the total parts (2 + 3 = 5), then divide the total amount by this (£25 ÷ 5 = £5 per part). Finally, multiply each ratio part by this amount (2 × £5 = £10 and 3 × £5 = £15).

Finding unknown ratios in word problems requires careful analysis and step-by-step problem-solving. This often involves working backwards from known quantities to determine unknown parts of a ratio.

Example: In a sports team with a girl-to-boy ratio of 4:5 and 12 girls, we first calculate that 1 part of the ratio equals 3 people (12 ÷ 4). Then, we multiply this by the boys' part of the ratio (3 × 5 = 15) to find that there are 15 boys in the team.

These techniques are essential for solving ratio word problems and demonstrate the practical applications of ratio concepts in real-world scenarios.

X÷ Ratios Ratios are proportional representations of certain data. They are an ordered pair of numbers a and b written as a:b ↓ Example 1) s

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Advanced Applications of Ratios

This page explores more sophisticated applications of ratios, including scale factors and combining multiple ratios into a single expression.

Scale factors are a practical application of ratios, commonly used in map-making and model construction. They represent the relationship between actual sizes and their representations.

Example: For a map with a scale of 2cm : 3.5km, to find the map distance for an actual distance of 8.5km, we calculate (2 ÷ 3.5) × 8.5 = 4.9cm (to 1 decimal place).

Combining multiple ratios into a single expression is a more advanced technique that requires identifying common factors and using the concept of lowest common multiples (LCM).

Example: To combine the ratios a:b = 3:8 and b:c = 6:11 into a single ratio a:b:c, we first identify b as the common factor. We then find the LCM of the b values (24) and adjust the other parts of the ratios accordingly, resulting in the combined ratio of 9:24:44.

These advanced applications demonstrate the versatility of ratio concepts in solving complex problems and representing relationships between multiple quantities. They are particularly useful in fields such as engineering, architecture, and data analysis.

Highlight: Understanding these advanced ratio techniques enhances problem-solving skills and provides a foundation for more complex mathematical concepts.

X÷ Ratios Ratios are proportional representations of certain data. They are an ordered pair of numbers a and b written as a:b ↓ Example 1) s

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Understanding Ratios and Their Simplification

Ratios are an essential concept in mathematics, representing proportional relationships between quantities. This page introduces the basics of ratios and demonstrates how to simplify them using whole numbers and decimals.

Definition: A ratio is an ordered pair of numbers a and b, written as a:b, that represents a proportional relationship between two quantities.

The process of simplifying ratios involves finding the highest common factor (HCF) of the numbers in the ratio and dividing both sides by this factor. This technique is applicable to ratios with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.

Example: To simplify a ratio of 6 boys to 8 girls (6:8), we identify the HCF as 2. Dividing both sides by 2 results in the simplified ratio of 3:4.

When dealing with ratios with decimals, the first step is to convert the decimals to whole numbers by multiplying both sides of the ratio by an appropriate factor. Then, the simplification process can proceed as usual.

Example: To simplify the ratio 6:1.5, multiply both sides by 2 to get 12:3. The HCF of 12 and 3 is 3, so dividing both sides by 3 gives the simplified ratio of 4:1.

For ratios with fractions, the approach involves converting the fractions to a common denominator, multiplying both sides by this denominator to obtain whole numbers, and then simplifying as before.

Highlight: When simplifying ratios with different units, always convert to the smaller unit before proceeding with the simplification process.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

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4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user