Identify equivalent ratios

Key Notes :

🎈 Equivalent ratios have the same value.

🎈 To determine whether two ratios are equivalent, write them as fractions. If the fractions are equal, the ratios are equivalent.

Learn with an example

▶️ Are the ratios 20:10 and 2:1 equivalent?

  • yes
  • no

First, write the ratios as fractions.The first number is the numerator. The second number is the denominator.

20 : 10 ➡️ 20/10

2 : 1 ➡️ 2/1

You can compare the fractions using a common denominator.

The denominators are 10 and 1. You can use 10 as the common denominator since 10 is a multiple of 1.

Write 2/1 with a denominator of 10.

2/1 = 2 . 10 / 1.10 = 20/10

So, 20/10 and 2/1 are equal.

This means that the ratios 20:10 and 2:1 are equivalent.

▶️ Are the ratios 8:16 and 1:2 equivalent?

  • yes
  • no

First, write the ratios as fractions.

The first number is the numerator. The second number is the denominator.

8 : 16 ➡️ 8/16

1 : 2 ➡️ 1/2

You can compare the fractions using a common denominator.

The denominators are 16 and 2. You can use 16 as the common denominator since 16 is a multiple of 2.

Write 1/2 with a denominator of 16.

1/2 = 1 . 8 / 2 .8 = 8/16

So, 8/16 and 1/2  are equal.

This means that the ratios 8:16 and 1:2 are equivalent.

▶️ Are the ratios 4:20 and 1:5 equivalent?

  • yes
  • no

First, write the ratios as fractions.

The first number is the numerator. The second number is the denominator.

4 : 20 ➡️ 4/20

1 : 5 ➡️ 1/5

You can compare the fractions using a common denominator.

The denominators are 20 and 5. You can use 20 as the common denominator since 20 is a multiple of 5.

Write 1/5 with a denominator of 20.

1/5 = 1 . 4 / 5 .4 = 4/20

So, 4/20 and 1/5 are equal.

This means that the ratios 4:20 and 1:5 are equivalent.

Let’s practice!🖊️