What Is a Ratio? 🍎🍊

A ratio is a way to compare how many of one thing there are next to another thing.

🐶🐶   vs   🐱

2 dogs for every 1 cat.

2 : 1

We say this out loud as “two to one”.

Tap Next and let's learn how ratios work, step by step! 👉

Step 1: Compare two groups

A ratio compares two amounts. Here are some apples and oranges. Count them!

🍎🍎🍎    🍊🍊

3 apples and 2 oranges.

We write the ratio of apples to oranges as:

3 : 2

The little dots : mean “to”. Order matters — apples first, oranges second.

👉 Next, you'll try counting one yourself.

Step 2: Tap to count 🖐️

Here is a row of stars and moons. Tap each shape to count it, then tell me the ratio of stars to moons.

Stars tapped: 0 · Moons tapped: 0

What is the ratio of ⭐ stars : 🌙 moons?

Step 3: Build a ratio 🧺

Let's make the ratio 3 : 1 of fish to bones. Drag the right number of each into the baskets.

🐟 Fish (need 3)
🦴 Bones (need 1)
🐟 🐟 🐟 🐟 🦴 🦴

Tip on a tablet: tap a token, then tap a basket to drop it.

Step 4: Ratios can grow 📈

Magic of ratios: 2 : 1 can become 4 : 2 or 6 : 3. As long as both sides grow the same number of times, it's the same ratio!

2 : 1

Step 5: Ratios in real life 🥤

To make orange squash, you mix 1 cup of syrup with 3 cups of water. That's a ratio of 1 : 3.

🧡 : 💧💧💧

If a friend wants to use 2 cups of syrup, how much water keeps the same tasty ratio?

Hint: syrup doubled (1 → 2), so water must double too.

Step 6: Be the ratio expert 🏆

A classroom has 5 girls and 4 boys. What is the ratio of girls to boys?

👧👧👧👧👧   👦👦👦👦

Remember: write them in the order asked — girls first!

🎉 You're a Ratio Star!

Let's recap what a ratio is:

🔹 A ratio compares two amounts, written like a : b and said as “a to b”.

🔹 Order matters — write them in the order you're asked.

🔹 A ratio stays the same when both sides grow the same number of times (2 : 1 = 4 : 2 = 6 : 3).

🔹 Ratios are everywhere — drinks, recipes, teams and games! 🥤⚽

Well done, ratio detective! Tap Start again any time to play once more. ✨