Write comparison as a ratio to lowest terms : 54 ft to 60 yards

Answer 1

Your ratio is 54 ft : 60 yards. I think about writing a ratio in lowest possible terms as similar to reducing fractions. In order to maintain the relationship, we must do the same thing to both sides as we try to reduce. Ratios are not fractions, but they behave similarly.

Our goal is to find a common factor (a single number that we can divide both sides of the ratio by and get a whole number) that we can then divide both sides of the ratio by. As long as we divide by the same number, we maintain the relationship.

Finding a common factor: This is where it is helpful to know multiplication facts off the top of your head. If you don't, you can systematically guess and check, starting with 2 and working up.

I know that:

54/6 = 9

60/6 = 10

This means that 6 is a common factor of 54 and 60. If I divide both sides of our original ratio (54:60) by 6, I get 9 ft : 10 yards. I know that this is in the smallest possible terms because 9 and 10 have no common factors (except 1).