Ratios and rates is an important mathematics topic to learn, as it has many applications in our every day lives. We often compare the amounts or quantities of things, which we represent as a ratio or rate. For example, ratios which are used to compare two (or more) numbers, amounts or quantities of the same kind (e.g. objects, people) is often used in baking, so that recipes can be easily adjusted for different portion sizes. Ratios are also commonly used to compare the number of people or objects; such as boys and girls, or apples and bananas. Rates, which are a particular type of ratio used to compare two measurements of different kinds (e.g distance and time) are commonly used in car speedometers to display how fast the car is travelling; which we can use to calculate how long it will take to arrive at our destination. Other examples of rates that are important in our everyday lives include exchange rates, interest rates, heart rates and birth and death rates.
This topic expands on the skills and knowledge introduced in the stage 4 ratios and rates topic. Students will need to solve a range of problems involving ratios and rates which require the conversion between different units of measurements. Students will also need to identify and construct graphs, tables and equations, which represent ratios and rates and identify and describe everyday examples of direct and indirect proportion.
› Selects appropriate notations and conventions to communicate mathematical ideas and solutions MA5.2-1WM
› Interprets mathematical or real-life situations, systematically applying appropriate strategies to solve problems MA5.2-2WM
› Recognises direct and indirect proportion, and solves problems involving direct proportion MA5.2-5NA
Stage 3
Length 2:
Stage 4
Fractions, Decimals and Percentages:
Stage 5.1