Rates

Proportional reasoning includes comparing quantites with different units. Kilometres per hour, dollars per gram and passengers per car are all examples of rates. When purchasing items from a store you could calculate the cost per item, called the unit rate, in order to compare the costs and determine the best buy.

In this activity, you will calculate unit rates and use them to make comparisons. You will contrast the strategy of calculating unit rates with other strategies used to solve proportion problems.

Important Mathematical Ideas

• A rate is a comparison of two quantities with different units.
• A unit rate is a rate with a second term of 1.
• A unit rate can be used for solving proportion problems.