The Enchanted Forest of How to Compare Ratios – A Tale of Mathematical Adventure
Once upon a time, in a land far away where numbers and ratios danced harmoniously together, there existed fascinating challenges known as word problems. Let's embark on a mathematical adventure through the enchanted forest of comparing ratios, where we'll decode the secrets held within these word problems!
1. The Quest Begins: Understanding Word Problems of Comparing Ratios
Our adventure begins with understanding what these magical word problems of comparing ratios are. A ratio is a comparison of two quantities. For instance, if a cauldron of magical potion requires \(3\) drops of moon dew to \(2\) petals of a starflower, the ratio is \(3:2\). When you encounter a problem that asks you to compare ratios, it’s like being asked to compare two different magical potion recipes!
2. Mastering the Magical Artefact: A Guide to Comparing Ratios
A Wizard’s Guide to Comparing Ratios in Word Problems
Step 1: Decode the Word Problem
Our first task is to decipher what the problem is asking. Identify the two ratios and understand what each part of the ratio represents.
Step 2: Write Down the Ratios
Now that we understand our challenge, let’s express these ratios using the magical symbol “:”, separating the numbers that are being compared.
Step 3: Simplify the Ratios
To compare our ratios effectively, we need to simplify them. Just like simplifying a spell, this process ensures that we have the clearest and simplest form of our ratios.
Step 4: Compare the Ratios
Once the ratios are simplified, we can finally compare them. Are they the same, or different?
Let’s illustrate this with an example from the enchanted forest: A blue sprite can gather \(10\) starflowers in \(2\) hours, while a red sprite can gather \(15\) starflowers in \(3\) hours. Which sprite gathers starflowers at a faster rate?
- Decode the Word Problem: We are comparing the starflower-gathering rates of blue and red sprites.
- Write Down the Ratios: The rate for the blue sprite is \(10\) starflowers to \(2\) hours \((10:2)\), and for the red sprite it’s \(15\) starflowers to \(3\) hours \((15:3)\).
- Simplify the Ratios: The blue sprite gathers at a rate of \(5\) starflowers per hour \((5:1)\), and the red sprite also at \(5\) starflowers per hour \((5:1)\).
- Compare the Ratios: The rates are the same, so both sprites gather starflowers at the same rate!
And so, our mathematical adventure through the enchanted forest of comparing ratios comes to a close. Armed with the knowledge and skills we’ve gained, we’re ready to solve any word problem that comes our way! Until our next mathematical quest!
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