Write ratios using colon notation

Colon notation represents a ratio between two quantities as $a:b$ , with the first term naming the first quantity and the second term naming the second; the order matters, so $a:b$ generally differs from $b:a$ . The quantities should describe comparable attributes in the same context and units, and the notation can represent the same multiplicative comparison as the fraction $a/b$ without being treated as a fraction itself.

Detailed Explanation: Write ratios using colon notation

A ratio compares two quantities. To write a ratio in colon notation:

Identify the first quantity.
Identify the second quantity.
Write their amounts in the same order with a colon between them:

\text{first amount}:\text{second amount}

Example: A basket has 6 apples and 4 oranges. Write the ratio of apples to oranges.

First quantity: apples, so write $6$ first.
Second quantity: oranges, so write $4$ second.
Separate the numbers with a colon:

6:4

So, the ratio of apples to oranges is $\boxed{6:4}$ .

The order matters. The ratio of oranges to apples would be $4:6$ , which is a different comparison. A ratio such as $6:4$ represents the same comparison as $\frac{6}{4}$ , but colon notation writes the comparison with a colon.

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Ratios - Calculate Item Ratio from Values

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Write ratios using colon notation

Detailed Explanation: Write ratios using colon notation

Learn by doing: Write ratios using colon notation

Practice with unlimited practice problems

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Ratios - Calculate Item Ratio from Values