Combining Ratios Flashcards

The process of merging two or more ratios into a single ratio by finding a common term.

Ensure the common term in the ratios has the same value by scaling the ratios appropriately.

Multiply each term in the ratio by the same number to make the common term equal in both ratios.

Scale the ratios to make the common term equal. For example, 2:3 becomes 8:12 and 4:5 becomes 12:15. The combined ratio is 8:12:15.

The value that appears in both ratios after scaling, allowing them to be combined.

After combining, divide all terms of the ratio by their highest common factor (HCF) to simplify.

The HCF of 8, 12, and 15 is 1, so the ratio is already in its simplest form.

Once combined, ratios can be used to solve problems involving proportional relationships.

If a recipe uses ingredients in the ratio 2:3 and another uses 4:5, you can combine them to find the overall ratio of ingredients.

Always check that the common term is equal before combining ratios, and simplify the final ratio if possible.