Skill 1: Ratios
A cordial drink is made by mixing syrup to water in the ratio . If 450 mL of water is used, what is the
volume of syrup used?

To solve this, we first recognize that the total parts of the mixture from the ratio is parts. The syrup occupies 2 parts of this total. If you have mL of water, which represents the parts, we set up the proportion:

Let be the volume of syrup. Since water is mL (the parts), we can calculate the volume of syrup as follows:

Cross-multiplying gives:

So, the volume of syrup used is mL!

Now, let’s keep the fun going with some extra insights!

Did you know that ratios are not just for mixed drinks? They’re used everywhere! From mixing paint colors for that perfect shade to scaling recipes in the kitchen, understanding ratios helps you become a master at balancing ingredients—just like you balance your study workload! So the next time you’re whipping up something delicious or creative, keep those ratios in mind!

For those looking to flex their math muscles beyond basic ratios, exploring the world of proportions can be enlightening! Proportions allow you to solve much more complex problems, like predicting outcomes or adjusting ingredients in recipes. Plus, there are plenty of brain-teasing ratio word problems available in math workbooks or online. Embrace the challenge, and who knows, you might find yourself becoming a ratio wizard!