How To Write A Ratio As A Fraction In Simplest Form

Much like fractions, ratios are a comparison of two quantities containing differences in characteristics or properties. For example, comparing dogs and cats, boys and girls, or students and teachers can all be turned into a ratio or fraction, in which there is a numerator and a denominator. Although most times, ratios are seen with a colon symbol, they are conceptually similar to fractions and can be simplified like fractions as well.

Step 1

Change any worded ratios, such as "one of two" or "one to two," into numerical ratios. For example, if a sentence reads "There are two oatmeal cookies for every four chocolate chip cookies," it would be written as 2:4 ratio of oatmeal cookies to chocolate chip cookies.

Step 2

Convert your ratios to fractions by replacing the "colon" symbol with a "divide" symbol. For example, a ratio of 2:4 is the same as 2/4.

Step 3

Simplify your fraction by dividing the top and bottom by the same number until you cannot divide any longer. For example, you can divide 2/4 by the number "2" on both the numerator and denominator. The result would be a simplified fraction of 1/2.