# 2 part ratio and dealing with decimals

To work out ratios with decimals

Get rid of the decimal.
(We only work in integers.)

By

Keep multiplying both sides
BY 10.
Until Decimal disappears.

Example 1

Simplify the following ratio with decimals.

0.26:0.13

Multiply both sides by 10

0.26times10:0.13times10

2.6:1.3

This still leaves decimals so multiply by 10 again.

2.6times10:1.3times10

26:13

Now we have removed the decimals we can now simplify 26:13

(see our section on 2 part ratios - simplify integers)

First divide by 2 then 3 then 4 then 5....... The first number that will divide both numbers is 13.

Divide both sides by 13

26/13:13/13

2:1

With 1 in the answer we know we can't divide down any further so this is the answer.

Example 2

Simplify the following ratio 2.5:0.05

Multiply both sides by 10

2.5times10:0.05times10

25:0.5

There is still a decimal in the ratio so multiply by 10 again.

25times10:0.5times10

250:5

Now we have whole numbers we can now simplify 250:5

(see our section on 2 part ratios - simplify integers)

The first number that will divide both numbers is 5.

250/5:5/5

50:1

With 1 in the answer we know we can't divide down any further so this is the answer.