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Ratios and Data 6-8 / Week 01 / Data Day
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Week 01 · Ratios

Data Day

Data Day: Ratio hunt
// Two quantities, one comparison
⏱ about 20 min

Data Day: Ratio Hunt

Saturday morning, Raven hands out clipboards at the Numbers Desk. "Today we hunt for ratios in the whole house."

Rocket takes off toward the garage. "Wheels to vehicles! Bikes, scooters, the wagon!"

"Count before you shout," Raven calls after him. "Then write the ratio with the first quantity first."

Nova hovers at the doorway. "Here is a hint. Count the same two things in two different rooms, then compare."

Ten minutes later Rocket is back. "Forks to spoons, 6:6 in the drawer. That is 1:1!"

Raven writes it down. "Good. Now find one that is not 1:1."

  1. A ratio compares two quantities, written a:b or a to b. The order matters: 2:3 is not 3:2.
  2. A part-to-whole ratio compares one part to everything, like 2 blue to 5 spoons in all.
  3. Multiply both parts by the same number to make an equivalent ratio. Adding the same number to both does not work.
  4. Ratio tables and tape diagrams show the same relationship as a picture, and let you scale a recipe up or down.
◇ FAMILY RATIO HUNT
Each person picks a room and counts two things that go together, like windows and doors or chairs and tables.
Write each ratio with the first quantity first. Then compare: did two rooms give equivalent ratios?
Pick one ratio and scale it up. If one room has 4 legs for every chair, how many legs for 7 chairs?
Make a tape diagram of your favorite ratio with paper strips, and tape it to the Numbers Desk.
For a grown-up
This week your student learned ratio language (2:3, 2 to 3, 2 for every 3) and equivalent ratios.
Ask them to explain why 4:6 is the same mix as 2:3 but 3:4 is not. The key word is multiply.
Counters, paint and lemonade stay away from children under three. Nothing in the Numbers Lab is tasted.
RATIO HUNT CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
The drawer has 6 forks and 6 spoons. Which ratio is equivalent to 6:6?
4 legs for every 1 chairs. With 7 chairs, how many legs?
The kitchen has 3 windows for every 1 door. What is the ratio of windows to all of it?
The garage has 2 wheels for every 1 bike. With 9 bikes, how many wheels?
StatementTrue or false?
6:6 is the same ratio as 1:1.?
3:1 is the same ratio as 1:3.?
2:1 is the same ratio as 18:9.?
A part-to-whole ratio compares one part to everything together.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEEquivalent ratios and order are the two checks you used on the hunt.
Draw a tape diagram for the best ratio you found on the hunt. Label each row and each box.
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