to the nearest millimeter, a cell phone is 76mm long and 30mm wide. what is the ratio of the width to the length?

Question

anonymous · Answer

30 to 76 put it in proper terms

song_of_the_sole · Answer

how would i do that?

anonymous · Answer

30 is your width as stated.
76 is you length

anonymous · Answer

let me show you

anonymous · Answer

30:76

mathstudent55 · Answer

A ratio is a comparison of two numbers by division.
Since you are asked for the ratio of the width to the length, that means you divide the width by the length.

anonymous · Answer

30 mm in width to 76 mm in length

anonymous · Answer

Hope you understand.

song_of_the_sole · Answer

ait so do i just put 30:76?

anonymous · Answer

Oh, I use to be like you, thinking it was an equation

anonymous · Answer

Yup

anonymous · Answer

I mean, explain if it's not multiple choice

song_of_the_sole · Answer

but it says its wrong

song_of_the_sole · Answer

how would i put 30:76 into the ratios as a simplified fraction?

mathstudent55 · Answer

A ratio can be expressed in several different ways.
The ratio of x to y can be written as:

a:y
a/y
a to y

If the two numbers are divisible by a number, you can do the division. It's the same as writing a fraction in lowest terms.

anonymous · Answer

You didn't specify

song_of_the_sole · Answer

what do you mean?

mathstudent55 · Answer

Since both 30 and 76 are even, what number are they both divisile by?

song_of_the_sole · Answer

2

mathstudent55 · Answer

Good. Start by dividing both by 2.

song_of_the_sole · Answer

30/2=15

mathstudent55 · Answer

good

song_of_the_sole · Answer

76/2=38

mathstudent55 · Answer

also good
Now you know you can write the ratio as 15:38

mathstudent55 · Answer

Can you reduce it more?

song_of_the_sole · Answer

no because 15 is odd and 38 is even

song_of_the_sole · Answer

right?

mathstudent55 · Answer

You are correct, but that is not the reason.
For example, 18 and 21 are both divisible by 3 even though one is even and one is odd.

mathstudent55 · Answer

What are the prime factors of 15? 15 = 3 * 5
What are the prime factors of 38? 38 = 2 * 19

song_of_the_sole · Answer

so is15:38 the ratio as a simplified fraction?

mathstudent55 · Answer

The prime factors of 15 and 38 are all different numbers. There is no prime factor in common, so 15/38 is completely reduced.

mathstudent55 · Answer

Yes.
15:38 or 15/38 or "15 to 38" are all the simplified ratio you need.

song_of_the_sole · Answer

oh okay thank you :) @mathstudent55