a A rectangle has length 16 cm and breadth 8 cm . What is the ratio of its length to its perimeter?

To find the perimeter of the rectangle, use the formula \(P = 2 \times (length + breadth)\). So, the perimeter \(P = 2 \times (16 + 8) = 2 \times 24 = 48 \, \text{cm}\). Now, the ratio of its length to its perimeter is \(\frac{length}{perimeter} = \frac{16}{48} = \frac{1}{3}\). Therefore, the ratio of its length to its perimeter is \(1:3\). In everyday life, understanding ratios helps in various situations, like cooking or mixing ingredients. If a recipe demands a ratio of 1:3 for sugar to flour, you’ll know that for every cup of sugar, you need three cups of flour! This practical application makes ratios incredibly useful in the kitchen and beyond. Fall down the rabbit hole of mathematical ratios, and you’ll find they’re everywhere! From design proportions to financial analysis, ratios help simplify and clarify complex relationships. For more fun with ratios, check out "The Joy of x: A Guided Tour of Math, from One to Infinity" by Steven Strogatz, where ratios play a key role in understanding the world!