Ratio Word Problems Worksheets - Math Monks - Free Printable

Let's solve each of these ratio comparison word problems step by step. We’ll calculate the ratio for each scenario, simplify if needed, and compare them to determine which is greater or lesser as required.

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① Mary’s class had 8 boys and 10 girls. Ken’s class had 9 boys and 15 girls. Which class has the greatest ratio of boys to girls?

- Mary’s ratio (boys:girls) = $ \frac{8}{10} = 0.8 $
- Ken’s ratio = $ \frac{9}{15} = 0.6 $

Compare: $ 0.8 > 0.6 $

✔ Answer: Mary’s class has the greater ratio of boys to girls.

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② Alex’s school had 20 buses for 400 students. Abbey’s school has 225 students riding 15 buses. Whose school has the greater ratio of students to buses?

- Alex’s ratio (students:buses) = $ \frac{400}{20} = 20 $
- Abbey’s ratio = $ \frac{225}{15} = 15 $

Compare: $ 20 > 15 $

✔ Answer: Alex’s school has the greater ratio of students to buses.

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③ Dan had 10 candy bars and 40 pieces of gum. Madison had 27 candy bars and 36 pieces of gum. Who had the greater ratio of candy to gum?

- Dan’s ratio (candy:gum) = $ \frac{10}{40} = 0.25 $
- Madison’s ratio = $ \frac{27}{36} = 0.75 $

Compare: $ 0.75 > 0.25 $

✔ Answer: Madison had the greater ratio of candy to gum.

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④ Basket A has 9 apples and 12 bananas. Basket B has 10 apples and 15 bananas. Which basket has a greater ratio of apples to bananas?

- Basket A ratio = $ \frac{9}{12} = 0.75 $
- Basket B ratio = $ \frac{10}{15} \approx 0.666... $

Compare: $ 0.75 > 0.666 $

✔ Answer: Basket A has the greater ratio of apples to bananas.

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⑤ In a basketball game, Michael has 20 points and 8 rebounds. James has 15 points and 9 rebounds. Who has a lesser ratio of points to rebounds?

- Michael’s ratio (points:rebounds) = $ \frac{20}{8} = 2.5 $
- James’s ratio = $ \frac{15}{9} \approx 1.666... $

Compare: $ 1.666 < 2.5 $

So James has the lesser ratio.

✔ Answer: James has the lesser ratio of points to rebounds.

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⑥ Class A has 8 boys and 16 girls. Class B has 6 boys and 18 girls. Which class has a lesser ratio of boys to girls?

- Class A ratio = $ \frac{8}{16} = 0.5 $
- Class B ratio = $ \frac{6}{18} = \frac{1}{3} \approx 0.333 $

Compare: $ 0.333 < 0.5 $

So Class B has the lesser ratio.

✔ Answer: Class B has the lesser ratio of boys to girls.

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⑦ Maria has 15 roses and 24 tulips. Angela has 10 roses and 16 tulips. Who has a greater ratio of roses to tulips?

- Maria’s ratio = $ \frac{15}{24} = 0.625 $
- Angela’s ratio = $ \frac{10}{16} = 0.625 $

They are equal.

✔ Answer: Both have the same ratio of roses to tulips.

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⑧ Tom has 4 blue and 8 green marbles. Jerry has 6 blue and 9 green marbles. Who has a lesser ratio of blue to green marbles?

- Tom’s ratio (blue:green) = $ \frac{4}{8} = 0.5 $
- Jerry’s ratio = $ \frac{6}{9} = \frac{2}{3} \approx 0.666 $

Compare: $ 0.5 < 0.666 $

So Tom has the lesser ratio.

✔ Answer: Tom has the lesser ratio of blue to green marbles.

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✔ Final Answers:

1. Mary’s class
2. Alex’s school
3. Madison
4. Basket A
5. James
6. Class B
7. Both have the same ratio
8. Tom

Let me know if you'd like these written in simplified fraction form or shown with common denominators!