Identifying Equivalent Ratios
Equivalent Ratios Two ratios are equivalent if their cross products are equal. Compare the cross products by cross multiplying: Multiply the denominator of one fraction by the numerator of the other fraction. If the cross products are equal then the ratios are equivalent. Another Method Ratios are used in order to find how two or more quantities are related. In order determine whether you have equivalent ratios, you must multiply or divide both sides by the same number. The first two problems use the first method above whereas the last two problems use the second method above. Problems #1 Are the following ratios equivalent? 2:3 and 10:12 Step 1 Determine the cross products by multiplying the numerator of the first fraction by the denominator of the second: 2 x 12 = 24 Step 2 Determine the second cross product by multiplying the denominator of the first fraction by the numerator of the second: 3 x 30 = 90 Step 3 Compare the cross products to d...