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🧩 6th grade math · Patterns & Algebra

Ratio language

A ratio compares two amounts. 3 red beads and 5 blue beads is the ratio 3 : 5, with red named first. "For every 3 red there are 5 blue" says the same thing. The order matters: 5 : 3 is blue to red.

Worked example

A garden has 2 tulips and 4 daisies. What is the ratio of tulips to daisies?
Answer: 2 : 4
The right answer is 2 : 4. A ratio is written in the order the question names the things: 2 tulips and 4 daisies, with 6 flowers in all.

For grown-ups: Ratio language ("3 to 2"). Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS 6.RP.A.1
What this practises, for teachers

Practices ratio language ("3 to 2") (6.RP.A.1). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

▶ Practise it

For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

Try three

  1. A basket has 4 apples and 5 pears. What is the ratio of pears to apples?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 5 : 4
    The right answer is 5 : 4. A ratio is written in the order the question names the things: 4 apples and 5 pears, with 9 pieces of fruit in all.
  2. A necklace has 7 red beads and 6 white beads. What is the ratio of white beads to all the beads?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 6 : 13
    The right answer is 6 : 13. A ratio is written in the order the question names the things: 7 red beads and 6 white beads, with 13 beads in all.
  3. The ratio of red beads to white beads is 2 to 6. Which sentence says the same thing?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: For every 2 red beads there are 6 white beads.
    The right answer is For every 2 red beads there are 6 white beads. "2 to 6" means for every 2 of the first thing there are 6 of the second.

Before and after

Learn first: Times as many (4th), A fraction is a division (5th)

Comes next: How much for one? (6th)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Ratio language (6th grade)

  1. A punch has 6 cups of juice and 2 cups of soda. What is the ratio of cups of soda to cups of juice?
  2. A necklace has 4 red beads and 6 white beads. What is the ratio of white beads to red beads?
  3. A rack has 5 bikes and 6 scooters. What is the ratio of bikes to scooters?
  4. A box has 4 stickers and 3 magnets. What is the ratio of stickers to magnets?
  5. The ratio of cups of flour to cups of sugar is 8 to 5. Which sentence says the same thing?
  6. A rack has 7 bikes and 4 scooters. What is the ratio of bikes to scooters?
  7. A bag has 8 red marbles and 5 blue marbles. What is the ratio of blue marbles to all the marbles?
  8. The ratio of bikes to scooters is 7 : 3. Which sentence must be true?
  9. A rack has 4 bikes and 9 scooters. What is the ratio of bikes to scooters?
  10. The ratio of stickers to magnets is 3 : 6. Which sentence must be true?
  11. A punch has 8 cups of juice and 3 cups of soda. What is the ratio of cups of soda to all the cups?
  12. The ratio of red beads to white beads is 9 : 5. Which sentence must be true?

Answer key

  1. 2 : 6
  2. 6 : 4
  3. 5 : 6
  4. 4 : 3
  5. For every 8 cups of flour there are 5 cups of sugar.
  6. 7 : 4
  7. 5 : 13
  8. For every 14 bikes there are 6 scooters.
  9. 4 : 9
  10. For every 9 stickers there are 18 magnets.
  11. 3 : 11
  12. For every 27 red beads there are 15 white beads.

More 6th grade skills: all 6th grade math skills, or every grade at math skills.