Ahmad cuts a rope into two pieces. One piece is 2 m long and the other piece is 150 cm long. What is the ratio of the length of the longer piece to the length of the shorter piece in its simplest form?
- 4 : 3
- 2 : 1.5
- 3 : 4
- 200 : 150
Need a hint?
Both lengths must be in the same unit before you write the ratio. Then find the largest number that divides both terms.
Worked answer
- Change 2 m to centimetres: 2 m = 200 cm.
- The ratio of the longer piece to the shorter piece is 200 : 150.
- Divide both terms by the common factor 50: 200 ÷ 50 = 4 and 150 ÷ 50 = 3.
- So the ratio in simplest form is 4 : 3.
Answer: 4 : 3
The mistake this question tests
Habit
Left out the units
Pupils often write 2 : 1.5 by keeping metres and centimetres mixed, or they stop at 200 : 150 without dividing by the common factor.
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See the answer →Practise PSLE ratio until the mistakes stop.
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