Express the ratio in its simplest form

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 82 views

Introduction

In mathematics, a ratio is a comparison of two numbers or quantities. It is often expressed as a fraction, where the first number is the numerator and the second number is the denominator. When we simplify a ratio, we are essentially finding the simplest form of the fraction that represents the ratio. In this article, we will explore the simplest form of the ratio 150:180 and provide a step-by-step guide on how to simplify it.

What is a Ratio?

A ratio is a way of comparing two numbers or quantities. It is often used to express the relationship between two things, such as the ratio of the length of a rectangle to its width. Ratios can be expressed as fractions, decimals, or percentages. For example, the ratio of the length of a rectangle to its width can be expressed as 3:4, 0.75, or 75%.

Why Simplify a Ratio?

Simplifying a ratio is an important concept in mathematics because it helps us to:

Express the ratio in its simplest form: Simplifying a ratio helps us to express it in its simplest form, which makes it easier to understand and work with.
Compare ratios: Simplifying a ratio allows us to compare it with other ratios more easily.
Perform calculations: Simplifying a ratio makes it easier to perform calculations involving the ratio.

Simplifying the Ratio 150:180

To simplify the ratio 150:180, we need to find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the two numbers. The GCD is the largest number that divides both numbers without leaving a remainder.

Step 1: Find the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD)

To find the GCD of 150 and 180, we can use the following steps:

List the factors of each number: The factors of 150 are 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 25, 30, 50, 75, and 150. The factors of 180 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 30, 36, 45, 60, 90, and 180.
Identify the common factors: The common factors of 150 and 180 are 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, and 30.
Find the greatest common factor: The greatest common factor of 150 and 180 is 30.

Step 2: Divide Both Numbers by the GCD

Now that we have found the GCD of 150 and 180, we can divide both numbers by the GCD to simplify the ratio.

Divide 150 by 30: 150 ÷ 30 = 5
Divide 180 by 30: 180 ÷ 30 = 6

Step 3: Write the Simplified Ratio

Now that we have divided both numbers by the GCD, we can write the simplified ratio.

Simplified ratio: 5:6

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the simplest form of the ratio 150:180. We have learned how to find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of two numbers and how to divide both numbers by the GCD to simplify the ratio. We have also seen how simplifying a ratio can help us to express it in its simplest form, compare ratios, and perform calculations involving the ratio.

Introduction

Simplifying ratios is an important concept in mathematics that can help us to express ratios in their simplest form, compare ratios, and perform calculations involving ratios. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about simplifying ratios.

Q: What is the greatest common divisor (GCD)?

A: The greatest common divisor (GCD) is the largest number that divides both numbers in a ratio without leaving a remainder. It is also known as the highest common factor (HCF).

Q: How do I find the GCD of two numbers?

A: To find the GCD of two numbers, you can use the following steps:

List the factors of each number: List all the factors of each number.
Identify the common factors: Identify the factors that are common to both numbers.
Find the greatest common factor: Find the largest factor that is common to both numbers.

Q: What is the difference between a ratio and a proportion?

A: A ratio is a comparison of two numbers or quantities, while a proportion is a statement that two ratios are equal. For example, the ratio of the length of a rectangle to its width is 3:4, while the proportion is 3/4 = 6/8.

Q: Can I simplify a ratio with a decimal or percentage?

A: Yes, you can simplify a ratio with a decimal or percentage by converting it to a fraction and then simplifying the fraction.

Q: How do I simplify a ratio with a variable?

A: To simplify a ratio with a variable, you can use the following steps:

Identify the variable: Identify the variable in the ratio.
Find the GCD of the variable and the other number: Find the GCD of the variable and the other number in the ratio.
Divide both numbers by the GCD: Divide both numbers by the GCD to simplify the ratio.

Q: Can I simplify a ratio with a negative number?

A: Yes, you can simplify a ratio with a negative number by following the same steps as for a positive number.

Q: What is the simplest form of a ratio?

A: The simplest form of a ratio is a ratio that has been simplified by dividing both numbers by their greatest common divisor (GCD).

Q: How do I know if a ratio is in its simplest form?

A: To determine if a ratio is in its simplest form, you can check if the GCD of the two numbers is 1. If the GCD is 1, then the ratio is in its simplest form.

Q: Can I simplify a ratio with a mixed number?

A: Yes, you can simplify a ratio with a mixed number by converting the mixed number to an improper fraction and then simplifying the fraction.

Q: How do I simplify a ratio with a fraction?

A: To simplify a ratio with a fraction, you can use the following steps:

Simplify the fraction: Simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their GCD.
Simplify the ratio: Simplify the ratio by dividing both numbers by their GCD.

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about simplifying ratios. We have covered topics such as finding the greatest common divisor (GCD), simplifying ratios with decimals and percentages, and simplifying ratios with variables and negative numbers. We hope that this article has been helpful in answering your questions about simplifying ratios.