Ratio tables

A ratio table lists equivalent ratios in rows. Multiply, divide or add rows to find a missing number. A quiz for kids, parent help below.

🧒 Kids: fill the table!

Each row is the same ratio, just bigger or smaller. Find the pattern and fill the gap. Then try the quiz!

▶ Quiz 🔢 More practice

packspens162123?

💡 Trick: 1 pack has 6 pens. 3 packs? Times 3 on both sides: 18 pens!

More ratios: What is a ratio · Equivalent ratios · Simplifying ratios · Ratio tables · Tape diagrams · Unit rates

For parents and teachers ↓

This part is for grown-ups: the key idea, pictures to draw, what to say, common mistakes, questions with answers and a free worksheet.

The trick: whatever you do to one column, do to the other

A ratio table has one column for each amount and one row for each equivalent ratio. To get a new row, multiply or divide both columns by the same number. You can also add two rows together.

Patterns to spot

See it: pictures to draw with your child

Draw these on paper or a whiteboard. A quick sketch makes the idea concrete before any rules.

packspens162125301060× 5× 2
Move down the table by multiplying both columns by the same number.
hoursdollars108054018756÷ 10× 7
Divide to reach the row for 1 (the unit rate), then multiply to reach any row.
ticketsdollars0029418627836
A double number line shows the same ratio table on two lines: 2 tickets cost $9, so 6 tickets cost $27.

What your child already knows

Children already know times tables and how to multiply and divide. A ratio table is just two times tables side by side, lined up so that each row keeps the same ratio.

In real life: Price lists, recipe charts, fuel use and exchange rates are ratio tables. Make one together when shopping: 1 bag costs $3, 2 bags $6, 5 bags $15.

Four ways to fill a ratio table

For example, if 4 tickets cost $18, then 2 tickets cost $9 and 6 tickets cost $18 + $9 = $27. The ratio table tool fills tables for you.

Worked examples

Example 1: Missing value by multiplying

  1. 3 cups of flour make 24 cookies.
  2. How many cookies from 9 cups? 3 × 3 = 9, so multiply the cookies by 3 too: 24 × 3 = 72 cookies.

Example 2: Through the row for 1

  1. 4 notebooks cost $6.
  2. How much do 10 cost?
  3. Divide by 4: 1 notebook costs $1.50.
  4. Multiply by 10: $15.

Example 3: Adding rows

  1. 2 laps take 5 minutes and 3 laps take 7.5 minutes.
  2. How long for 5 laps?
  3. Add the rows: 5 + 7.5 = 12.5 minutes.

Common mistakes

Adding the same number down a columnWrites 2 : 5, 3 : 6, 4 : 7.Fix: each row must be the first row times a number: 2 : 5, 4 : 10, 6 : 15.
Mixing up the columnsPuts a cookie number in the flour column.Fix: label both columns and check each new number is in the right one.
Changing only one columnMultiplies the first column but copies the second.Fix: say the operation, like “times 3”, and do it to both.

What to say to your child

A short script for your first session. Pause after each line and let your child answer.

  1. “1 pack has 6 pens. How many pens in 2 packs?” (12.)
  2. “What did we do to the packs? What did we do to the pens?” (Times 2 both times.)
  3. “How many pens in 10 packs?” (60.)
  4. “If we know 2 packs and 3 packs, how do we get 5 packs?” (Add the rows.)
  5. “What is the row for 1 called?” (The unit rate.)

Questions to try (answers below)

Ask these out loud or write them down. The last one is a stretch.

  1. 1 : 4, 2 : 8, 3 : ?
  2. 2 : 5, 4 : 10, 8 : ?
  3. 10 : 30, 5 : 15, 1 : ?
  4. 3 cups make 12 pancakes. 6 cups make?
  5. 4 tickets cost $20. 1 ticket costs?
  6. 5 hours earn $60. 3 hours earn?
  7. 2 : 3 and 3 : 4.5. What is the row for 5?
  8. 6 apples cost $4. 9 apples cost?
  9. Stretch: 8 m of rope weighs 2 kg. How much does 20 m weigh?
Show the answers
  1. 12
  2. 20
  3. 3
  4. 24
  5. $5
  6. $36
  7. 5 : 7.5
  8. $6
  9. 5 kg

Games to play at home

Shopping table

Make a ratio table of prices for 1 to 10 items of something you buy often.

Recipe rows

Write a recipe as a ratio table for 1, 2 and 4 batches.

Table race

Each player fills a ratio table to 10 rows. Check with a calculator.

A 5-day plan for ratio tables

Ten minutes a day is enough. Short, regular practice works far better than one long session.

By grade

Grade 6 (Common Core 6.RP.A.3a) makes tables of equivalent ratios, finds missing values and plots the pairs on a coordinate plane. Grade 7 uses tables to decide if quantities are proportional. In India, the unitary method in classes 6 to 8 uses the same idea.

More for each grade: Grade 6 math and the CBSE class 6 maths guide.

What comes next

Next, try tape diagrams and unit rates. Practice tables with ratio practice.

Worksheet and more practice

Print a free worksheet with an answer key, or keep practicing online with ratio practice.

Printable PDFs: ratios worksheet · unit rates worksheet · make a fresh ratio test

← Simplifying ratiosTape diagrams →

More: ratios for kids · ratio calculator · unit rate calculator · ratio practice · percentages for kids · fractions for kids

Last reviewed

Questions parents ask

What is a ratio table?

A table of equivalent ratios, with one column for each amount and one row for each ratio.

How do you fill in a ratio table?

Multiply or divide both columns by the same number, or add two rows together.

How do you find a missing value in a ratio table?

Find what the known number was multiplied or divided by, then do the same to the other column.

What is the row for 1 in a ratio table?

It is the unit rate: the amount for one. Once you know it, you can reach any row.

What grade learns ratio tables?

Grade 6 under Common Core 6.RP.A.3a. In India, class 6.