Maths Adventures
Sailing maths quest: ratio
A story-led junior maths adventure using maps, bearings and voyage planning to mix recipes, scale drawings and compare quantities.
Quick answer
Ratio is a way to compare how much of one thing there is compared to another thing. In sailing, you might use ratio to mix the right amount of water and juice for a drink, or to plan how far to sail in different directions.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to compare amounts using ratios and solve simple problems about sailing and mixing things. Success signs:- You can explain what a ratio means in simple words
- You can make a ratio from a picture or a story
- You can use ratios to solve problems about mixing things
- You can show how ratios help with sailing and planning
Why this matters
Ratios help us understand how things relate to each other. When you're sailing, you need to know how to mix your drinks, plan your route, or share food with your crew. Understanding ratios helps you make good choices and solve problems. Ratios also come up in cooking, sports, shopping, and even in games like Minecraft when you're building with blocks.How it works
Ratios compare two or more amounts. We write them like this: 2:3 or 1:4. The first number shows one amount, and the second number shows another. For example, if you have 2 apples and 3 oranges, the ratio is 2:3. To understand ratios:- Count how many of each thing you have
- Write the numbers in the order you want to compare them
- Put a colon (:) between the numbers
- Check that the ratio makes sense
Examples you can see
Let's imagine you are on a sailing adventure and need to mix your drinks. Example 1: Mixing a drink You have 4 cups of water and 2 cups of juice. - Water: 4 cups - Juice: 2 cups - Ratio is 4:2 - You can simplify this to 2:1 (because both numbers can be divided by 2) Example 2: Sailing route You sail 6 km north and 3 km east. - North: 6 km - East: 3 km - Ratio is 6:3 - Simplified ratio is 2:1 Example 3: Sharing food You have 12 cookies and 8 biscuits. - Cookies: 12 - Biscuits: 8 - Ratio is 12:8 - Simplified ratio is 3:2Try it as a mini adventure
The Sailing Maths Quest You are captain of a small sailing boat and need to prepare for a journey. Here's your quest: 1st time: You have 10 bottles of water and 5 bottles of juice. What is the ratio of water to juice? 2nd time: You sail 8 km north and 4 km east. What is the ratio of north to east? 3rd time: You have 15 sandwiches and 10 apples. What is the ratio of sandwiches to apples? 4th time: You mix 6 cups of milk with 3 cups of cocoa powder. What is the ratio of milk to cocoa powder? 5th time: You need to plan your route. If you sail 12 km east and 6 km south, what is the ratio of east to south? Answer to the quest: 1st time: 10:5 = 2:1 2nd time: 8:4 = 2:1 3rd time: 15:10 = 3:2 4th time: 6:3 = 2:1 5th time: 12:6 = 2:1Common mistakes
- Mistake: Writing the ratio backwards
Why it happens: Children might mix up which number comes first
Fix: Always think about what you're comparing first. If you have 3 red balls and 2 blue balls, the ratio of red to blue is 3:2 - Mistake: Not simplifying ratios
Why it happens: Children may think the numbers must stay the same
Fix: Look for common factors. If you have 6:4, both numbers can be divided by 2 to get 3:2 - Mistake: Confusing ratio with addition
Why it happens: Children might add the numbers instead of comparing them
Fix: Remember ratio means "compared to", not "added to". 3:2 is not 5
Parent and carer guide
You can help your child practice ratios with everyday examples:- When cooking, ask them to compare ingredients. "If we need 2 eggs for 1 cup of flour, what's the ratio?"
- Look at maps together and compare distances. "How far is it from here to the park compared to the school?"
- Use toys or snacks to make ratios. "You have 4 red cars and 2 blue cars. What's the ratio?"
- Play games with ratios. "We're going to make a drink with 3 parts water to 1 part juice. How much of each do we need?"
- Remember to praise their thinking, not just the answer. "I like how you thought about the ratio of red to blue cars!"
Practice questions
- There are 8 red flags and 4 blue flags. What is the ratio of red to blue?
- You have 12 stars and 6 moons. What is the ratio of stars to moons?
- There are 9 fish and 3 turtles. What is the ratio of fish to turtles?
- You have 10 bananas and 5 oranges. What is the ratio of bananas to oranges?
- There are 15 blue blocks and 5 green blocks. What is the ratio of blue to green?
FAQ
What is a ratio?
A ratio is a way to compare how much of one thing there is compared to another thing. It tells us the relationship between two amounts.
How do you write a ratio?
We write ratios with a colon (:) between the numbers. For example, 3:2 means 3 of one thing and 2 of another.
Can ratios be simplified?
Yes! If both numbers in a ratio can be divided by the same number, we can simplify it. For example, 6:4 simplifies to 3:2.
Where do we use ratios in real life?
We use ratios when cooking, mixing drinks, planning routes, sharing things, and in many games and sports. They help us make sure we have the right amounts.
How can I help my child learn ratios?
Use everyday examples like cooking, sharing snacks, or looking at maps. Ask your child to compare things and write the ratios. Praise their thinking, not just the answers.