Objective: To demonstrate the concept of ratio and to learn how to write ratios.

Materials:

1. Hot Shot Data from to record data (provided below. Save this info for use in decimal unit).

2. Trash cans or boxes (one for each 4-5 member team) that can be used as a basketball goal.

3. Ping-Pong, nerf, or wadded paper balls.

Grouping:

Teams of 4 or 5 students

Teacher Notes:

1. Divide the class into teams of 4 - 5 students each. Get each student to attempt 10 shots at the trash can from a given distance. Record the results of hits and misses on the Hot Shot Data form provided. After all shots have been taken, have each student complete the form which compares hits to misses, misses to hits, and hits to the total number of shots taken. Students should conclude that ratio is a comparison of two numbers or quantities. A ratio may compare a part to a part or a part to a whole.

2. Discuss with students "How do you write ratios?" Illustrate a ratio as a fraction, a division, using the words to or per, and using a colon.

3. Have students discuss mixtures that are formed by using ratios of two or more things. Some types of boats, chain saw, leaf blowers, and mini-bikes use fuel that is a mixture of oil and gasoline combined in a specific ratio. Insecticides and other chemicals are mixed with water in a specific ratio (Round-Up, Liquid Sevin, etc.). Why is it necessary that these mixtures are mixed in the proper ratio?

4. Mixtures are sometimes formed by mixing more than 2 things. Fertilizer bags display numbers which compare nitrogen to phosphorus to potassium. What is the ratio of nitrogen to potassium in fertilizer that is labeled 24-4-8?