Practical Applications
Ratios in Everyday Life
From saving money at the grocery store to mixing cleaning solutions safely, proportional calculations guide daily decision making.
1. Grocery Unit Price Comparison
To determine which package offers superior value, calculate the Price-to-Weight Ratio ($ / gram):
Package A (Small)
300 grams for $4.50
$4.50 ÷ 300g = $0.0150 per gram ($1.50 / 100g)
Package B (Family Size)
750 grams for $9.00
$9.00 ÷ 750g = $0.0120 per gram ($1.20 / 100g)
→ Package B is 20% cheaper per unit weight than Package A.
2. Chemical & Cleaner Dilution Ratios (1 : 10)
Concentrated cleaning agents specify dilution ratios such as 1 : 10 (concentrate to water):
- Total parts = 1 + 10 = 11 parts.
- To make 1,100 ml of solution:
1,100 ÷ 11 = 100 ml. - Use 100 ml concentrate and 1,000 ml water.