Question

There are 12 squares and 8 circles. What is the simplest ratio of circles to squares?

Answer 1

Explanation:

circles to squares :

8 : 12

and now : a ratio is nothing else than a fraction with a special meaning.

so, all the handling, calculations and simplifications are the same as for regular fractions.

you can write the ratio therefore also as

8 ÷ 12

8 / 12

and the simplification is then to identify the factors of the numerator and the denominator and let them cancel each other out as much a possible :

8 / 12 = 2×2×2 / 2×2×3

and we end up with

2/3

or

2÷3

or

2:3

Answer 2

circles : squares = 2 : 3

Explanation:

You want the simplest ratio of circles to squares when you have 8 circles and 12 squares.

Ratio

The simplest ratio can be found by dividing by the greatest common factor of the two numbers. Here, the two numbers are both multiples of 4.

circles : squares = 8 : 12 = 2 : 3 . . . . . . . . divide the ratio by 4 to simplify

The simplest ratio of circles to squares is 2 : 3.