Ratios

(Modified from Washington MESA In The Pharmacy Curriculum)

M&M'S® Ratios

Activity Objectives

Students will increase understanding of the concepts of part-to-part and part-to-whole ratios. They will also apply sorting and tabulating skills.

Activity Directions

  • Carefully open your bag of M&M'S and count how many you have, and how many of each color. Complete the table below:
    Color Red (R) Orange (O) Yellow (Y) Green (G) Blue (Bl) Brown (Br) TOTAL (TOT)
    Number              
           
  • Write the following ratios:
    R to O ______ G to R ______ Bl to O ______
    R to Y ______ O to Bl ______ G to Y ______
    R to G ______ Br to Y ______ O to Br ______
    R to Bl ______ Y to G ______ Y to R ______
    R to Br ______ Bl to Br ______ Br to Bl ______
  • Is R to G the same as G to R? Explain.
     
  • Compile the data from everyone in your group on the following table.
    Color Red (R) Orange (O) Yellow (Y) Green (G) Blue (Bl) Brown (Br) TOTAL (TOT)
    1              
    2              
    3              
    4              
    5              
    6              
    7              
    8              
    TOTAL              
  • Write the following part-to-whole ratios:
    R to TOTAL ______ (R + O) to TOTAL ______
    O to TOTAL ______ (G + Br) to TOTAL ______
    G to TOTAL ______ (B + R + G) to TOTAL _____
    Bl to TOTAL ______ (Bl + O + Y) to TOTAL ______
    Y to TOTAL ______ (Y + Bl + Br + G) to TOTAL ______
    Br to TOTAL ______ (R + O + Y + G + Br + Bl) to TOTAL ______