CLASS-6
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRACTION & RATIO

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRACTION & RATIO -

Fractions and ratios are both ways of expressing the relationship between two quantities, but they are used in slightly different contexts and have some key differences:

(1) Context Of Use:-

Fraction:- Fractions are typically used to represent part of a whole or a division of a single quantity. For example, 1/4 of a pizza represents a part of the whole pizza.

Ratio:- Ratios are used to compare two or more quantities or parts in relation to each other. Ratios express the relative size or magnitude of two quantities. For example, the ratio of apples to oranges in a fruit basket might be 3:2.


(2) Form:-

Fraction:- Fraction: Fractions are written as one quantity divided by another, with a horizontal line between them, such as 1/4 or 3/5.

Ratio:- Ratios are typically written as two quantities separated by a colon (:) or sometimes as a fraction without the horizontal line, such as 3:2 or 3/2.


(3) Whole Vs. Comparison:-

Fraction:- Fractions deal with one quantity as a part of a whole. The numerator represents the part, and the denominator represents the whole.

Ratio:- Ratios compare two or more quantities with each other. The order of the quantities in a ratio is important, and they are not necessarily related to a whole.


(4) Simplification:-

Fraction:- Fractions can often be simplified to their simplest form, such as reducing 2/4 to 1/2.

Ratio:- Ratios can also be simplified, but it's done by dividing both parts of the ratio by their greatest common factor. For example, 4:6 can be simplified to 2:3.


(5) Units:- 

Fraction:- Fractions do not necessarily require units and are often used for abstract mathematical concepts.

Ratio:- Ratios often involve units, and the units of the two quantities being compared are typically included. For example, a ratio of 4 miles to 2 hours would be written as 4 miles : 2 hours.

Fraction is a number which represents a part of whole, whereas ration is a comparison of sizes of same kind of quantities by division.


Example:-

Fraction 2/3 means, a whole quantity is divided into 3 equal parts and 2 parts are taken from them.

                                                                        2

So, 2 (two) parts of 3 (three) part is = ------

                                               3

Ratio 2/3 means, a whole quantity is divided into 5 equal parts and it is the comparison of 2 parts to 3 parts by division.

In a fraction denominator shows number of parts. In ration shows sum of numbers, term of ratio shows the number of parts.

In summary, fractions are typically used to represent parts of a whole, while ratios are used to compare two or more quantities in relation to each other. Fractions involve division of a single quantity, while ratios express the relative magnitude or size of different quantities and often include units.