Equivalent Ratios
11-2
Equivalent ratios have the same value.
Equivalent ratios can be written as equivalent fractions.The ratio of circles to squares is 5 to 15.
Write an equivalent ratio for 5 to 15.To write an equivalent ratio:
Write the given ratio as a fraction.
Multiplyor divideboth the numerator
and the denominator by the same
nonzero number.
Express the result as a fraction.An equivalent ratio for 5 to 15 is 1 to 3.You can use equivalent ratios to solve problems.
At 1 table Sue Ann can place 6 chairs. How many chairs
can she place at 3 tables?
To find the number of chairs, n, write equivalent ratios.^3
nt
ca
hb
ale
irss
So Sue Ann can place 18 chairs at 3 tables.Study this example.
Write three equivalent ratios for 1 : 8.1 : 8
1
8
1
8
1
8
2
2
12
6
1
8
1
8
3
3
23
4
1
8
1
8
4
4
34
2
12
6
,
23
4
, and
34
2
are equivalent ratios for 1 : 8.3
181 3
6 31 table
6 chairs
15
5
1. 5
5
.
5
5
1. 5
5
.
5
5
1
3
number of circlesnumber of squaresDivide both terms by
the same nonzero number.1.28206-2_378-379 10/7/07 12:02 PM Page 378