Question

Simplify each ratio.a) 33:121b) 30:72

Answer 1

To simply ratios, we need to get the common factor of the ratio, and divide the ratio by this common factor.

For a) 33 : 121

33 = 3 x 11

121 = 11 x 11

So the common factor of this ratio is 11

Dividing the ratio by 11 :

$\frac{33}{11}\colon\frac{121}{11}=3\colon11$

The answer is 3 : 11

For b) 30 : 72

30 = 2 x 3 x 5

72 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3

So the common factor of this ratio is 2 x 3 = 6

Dividing the ratio by 6 :

$\frac{30}{6}\colon\frac{72}{6}=5\colon12$

The answer is 5 : 12