Explain how to use ratios in real-life problems.

Ratios help compare quantities and solve problems involving proportions in real-life situations.

Ratios are a way to compare two or more quantities by showing the relative size of one quantity to another. For example, if you have 2 apples and 3 oranges, the ratio of apples to oranges is 2:3. This means for every 2 apples, there are 3 oranges. Ratios can be used in various real-life scenarios, such as cooking, shopping, and even in sports.

In cooking, recipes often use ratios to ensure the correct balance of ingredients. If a recipe calls for a ratio of 2 cups of flour to 1 cup of sugar, and you want to make a larger batch, you can scale up the quantities while maintaining the same ratio. For instance, if you need to double the recipe, you would use 4 cups of flour and 2 cups of sugar.

When shopping, ratios can help you compare prices and find the best deals. If a 500g pack of pasta costs £1.50 and a 1kg pack costs £2.80, you can use ratios to determine which is more cost-effective. By comparing the price per gram, you can see that the 1kg pack is cheaper per gram, helping you make a more economical choice.

In sports, ratios are used to analyse performance. For example, a football player’s goal-to-game ratio can indicate their scoring efficiency. If a player has scored 20 goals in 25 games, their goal-to-game ratio is 20:25, which simplifies to 4:5. This means the player scores 4 goals every 5 games on average.

Understanding and using ratios can simplify complex problems and help you make informed decisions in everyday life.