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Are These Ratios Equal? Identifying Proportional Relationships

Shared by Nicole Golden★ Featured Teacher · rated 90+ in our quality review

7th gradeBTC Style / Thinking ClassroomsMA.7.AR.4.1, MA.7.AR.4.540 min
Learning Objective

Students will determine whether two ratios form a proportion using equivalent fractions and the Cross Products Property, and identify proportional relationships in tables and real-world contexts.

Lesson Overview

Students progress from simplifying ratios to compare them, through using the Cross Products Property, to determining proportionality in tables and real-world contexts involving painting, swimming, and cooking.

Materials

  • Vertical whiteboards or large paper on desks
  • Dry-erase markers (or pencils)
  • Pencils and scratch paper

Scaffolded Task Progression

1Task 1
Two painters are working on a fence. Painter A covers square feet in minutes. Painter B covers square feet in minutes. Do these rates form a proportion? Show two methods: (1) simplify both fractions, (2) check cross products.
2Task 2
A swimmer completes laps in minutes. In a warm-up, she swam laps in minutes. Do these rates form a proportion? Use the Cross Products Property.

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