Ratios

(Modified from Washington MESA In The Pharmacy Curriculum)

Activity Objectives

Students will increase understanding of the concepts of part-to-part and part-to-whole ratios. They will also apply sorting and tabulating skills.

Activity Directions

• Carefully open your bag of M&M'S and count how many you have, and how many of each color. Complete the table below:

  Color	Red (R)	Orange (O)	Yellow (Y)	Green (G)	Blue (Bl)	Brown (Br)	TOTAL (TOT)
  Number

         
• Write the following ratios:
  R to O ______ G to R ______ Bl to O ______
  R to Y ______ O to Bl ______ G to Y ______
  R to G ______ Br to Y ______ O to Br ______
  R to Bl ______ Y to G ______ Y to R ______
  R to Br ______ Bl to Br ______ Br to Bl ______
• Is R to G the same as G to R? Explain.
   
• Compile the data from everyone in your group on the following table.

  Color	Red (R)	Orange (O)	Yellow (Y)	Green (G)	Blue (Bl)	Brown (Br)	TOTAL (TOT)
  1
  2
  3
  4
  5
  6
  7
  8
  TOTAL

• Write the following part-to-whole ratios:
  R to TOTAL ______ (R + O) to TOTAL ______
  O to TOTAL ______ (G + Br) to TOTAL ______
  G to TOTAL ______ (B + R + G) to TOTAL _____
  Bl to TOTAL ______ (Bl + O + Y) to TOTAL ______
  Y to TOTAL ______ (Y + Bl + Br + G) to TOTAL ______
  Br to TOTAL ______ (R + O + Y + G + Br + Bl) to TOTAL ______