Ratios in the Real World

Do you know that math is applied in every aspect of our lives, from following recipes while cooking, finding deals when buying items, traveling, and also compare two quantities? Ratios and rates are literally everywhere, even though we often don't recognize it as such.

As a part of this WebQuest, you will take on the role of a “Ratio Investigator”. You will visit four Internet-based sources to find out how proportions, ratios, rates, and their corresponding relationships apply to many of the same real-world experiences. Each time you visit a location, you will complete questions on your ratio investigation worksheets. Upon completion of all visits to these locations, you will understand what constitutes ratios and rates, and how these concepts may assist with solving many day-to-day challenges.

Complete all steps in order. Make sure to engage with and complete each task prior to answering questions. Consider why ratios work and their mathematical relationship. 

FIRST STEP: Visual

1. Name three different visual models that can represent a ratio. 

2. A recipe calls for 2 cups of flour for every 3 cups of sugar. The recipe is going to be doubled. How much flour and sugar will there be? Why does this doubled amount remain equal to the original ratio?

SECOND STEP: Blog

3. What does a ratio tell us about two quantities?

4. If there must be one teacher per seven students and there are 21 students, how many teachers are needed?

Third Step: Article

5. Explain in your own words the difference between a ratio and a unit rate.

6. Eight movie tickets cost sixty-four dollars. How much would two tickets cost, and what is the unit rate?

FOURTH STEP: Video

7. In the YouTube video, how are apples and oranges used to demonstrate a ratio?

8. Imagine a fruit basket that contains strawberries, apples, oranges, and blueberries. The basket contains 8 apples and 12 oranges. Write the simplified ratio between apples and oranges. 

You have completed the majority of your investigation, but there is still one more challenge.

9. If your class is having a party with twenty-four students, and your teacher wants to give two bottles of water for every three students, how many bottles of water will she need?

10. A teacher has 42 students and asked students whether they preferred pen and paper or online. The data shows that for every three students who answered pen and paper, one said online. How many students prefer doing homework online?

After completing this WebQuest, you should know the difference between a unit rate and a ratio and feel confident that you can complete everyday ratios, like a cooking recipe. Students should have a better understanding and be able to apply proportional reasoning.

“6Th Grade: Ratios and Proportional Relationships.” Schoolmaster Miller’s Classroom, 2026, https://www.schoolmastermiller.com/6th-grade-ratios-and-proportional-re…?

“Digital Math Resources.” Media4Math, 2026, https://www.media4math.com/library/interactive-math-tool-ratio-represen….

“Grade 6 » Ratios & Proportional Relationships | Common Core State Standards Initiative.” Www.Thecorestandards.Org, https://www.thecorestandards.org/Math/Content/6/RP/. Accessed 6 Sept. 2026.

Khan Academy. Introduction to Ratios | Ratios, Rates, and Percentages | 6Th Grade | Khan Academy. YouTube, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIKmw0aTmYc. Video.

I am Ms. Lavengood! If you have any questions, feel free to email me or contact me via our classroom page.