Ratio Explorer

This page helps you learn and practise Ratios, a key topic tested in 11+ Maths. After understanding the examples and methods, you can try our interactive quiz to check your skills. As part of 11+ Ratios Preparation Guide, this topic will help you build confidence, improve accuracy, and solve ratio questions quickly. Keep practising to boost your score.

Tutorial :

Ratios are a way of comparing two or more quantities. They show how much of one thing there is compared to another. For example, if there are 2 red balls and 3 blue balls, the ratio of red to blue is 2:3. It’s important to write ratios in the same order as the question states.

One key skill is simplifying ratios. Just like simplifying fractions, divide both parts by the same number.
Example: The ratio 12:18 can be simplified by dividing both numbers by 6.
So, 12:18 = 2:3.

Ratios can also be scaled up or scaled down.
Example: If a recipe uses ingredients in a ratio of 1:4, and you want 3 times more, multiply both numbers by 3 → 3:12.

You may also compare ratios to totals.
Example: In a class, the ratio of boys to girls is 3:2.
Total parts = 3 + 2 = 5.
If there are 20 students, each part = 20 ÷ 5 = 4.
Number of boys = 3 × 4 = 12; girls = 2 × 4 = 8.

For 11+ exams, always read the order carefully, write out the ratio, and check whether you need to simplify or scale it. Many students lose marks by mixing up the order or forgetting to divide all parts equally. Practice will help you understand ratios quickly and confidently. Using the focus keyword “11+ ratios practice” can guide your revision effectively.

More Resources :

• Reading Scales
• Bodmas
• Fractions Word Problems

Extrenal Resourses :

• Bitesize