What actually is a Ratio?
A ratio is simply a way to compare parts to other parts. In gaming or sports, your W/L Ratio compares your Wins directly to your Losses.
Raw Ratio (W : L)
Simplifying the Blueprint
Just like fractions, ratios must be simplified to their smallest whole numbers. We do this by dividing both sides by their Highest Common Factor (HCF).
For every win(s) you get, you lose time(s).
The Part vs. Whole Trap
The most common mistake is confusing a Ratio (Part to Part) with a Fraction (Part to Whole).
The Zombie Apocalypse Survival Team
Survivors to Zombies
Compares one group directly to the other group.
Proportion of Survivors
Compares one group to the TOTAL (3+5 = 8).
The Golden Rule
You are mixing cordial. The recipe asks you to mix 200 mL of syrup with 1.2 Liters of water. What is the ratio of Syrup to Water?
The Rookie Mistake
If you give this to a machine, it thinks you want 200 parts syrup for every 1.2 parts water. It will be pure sugar!
The Pro Method
1. Convert everything to the smaller unit ($mL$)
2. Write the ratio and simplify
2 : 12
1 : 6
Summary Checklist before writing a ratio:
- Are they the same units? (e.g. $cm$ to $cm$, $g$ to $g$)
- Have I dropped the unit symbols? (No "$cm$" inside a ratio)
- Is it simplified to the smallest whole numbers?
Mastery Quiz
Instructions: Always simplify your answers. Format your answers using a colon (1:2) for ratios, or a slash (3/4) for fractions.