Is the ratio 2:5 and 5:2 equal
The correct answer and explanation is:
No, the ratios 2:5 and 5:2 are not equal.
A ratio is a way to compare two quantities in relation to each other. In the case of the ratio 2:5, it means that for every 2 parts of the first quantity, there are 5 parts of the second quantity. Conversely, the ratio 5:2 means that for every 5 parts of the first quantity, there are only 2 parts of the second quantity. This indicates that the two ratios describe different proportions.
To demonstrate this more clearly, you can convert both ratios to a fraction:
- The ratio 2:5 can be written as a fraction: 25\frac{2}{5}
- The ratio 5:2 can be written as a fraction: 52\frac{5}{2}
The fraction 25\frac{2}{5} represents a value of 0.4, whereas 52\frac{5}{2} represents a value of 2.5. Since 0.4 and 2.5 are not equal, the two ratios are not equal either.
In general, when comparing ratios, it’s important to note that the order of the numbers matters. A ratio of a:b is not the same as b:a because it indicates different relationships between the two quantities. This is why the ratio 2:5 is not the same as 5:2. If the quantities in the ratios are reversed, the proportions change significantly.