Must both terms of a simplest ratio be whole numbers?

Yes. Clear any decimals or fractions first, then divide both terms by their highest common factor.

Can 2 metres to 50 centimetres be written as 2 : 50?

No. The units must match first, so 200 : 50 simplifies to 4 : 1.

P6 maths ratio and proportion paper 1 (basics): simplifying and missing terms

2026-11-10

Tutor Prep Guide · P6 Maths Ratio and Proportion

Ten items to build the basics: writing and simplifying ratios, matching units, sharing in a ratio and finding a missing term.

Direct answers　Work each item out first, then check the answer table in section 03 where every item has a one-line note.

01　Paper details (check answers afterwards)

Item	Detail
Questions	10
Suggested time	20
Difficulty mix	Foundation 3 · Intermediate 3 · Challenge 3 · Error redo 1
Chapter	Chapter: P6 Maths Ratio and Proportion
Level	P6

02　Questions (10 items)

FoundationTwelve sweets are shared among 3 pupils. What is the ratio of sweets to pupils in simplest form?
FoundationWrite 18 : 24 in simplest form.
FoundationWrite 35 : 56 in simplest form.
IntermediateWhat is the ratio of 2 metres to 50 centimetres in simplest form?
IntermediateMultiply both terms of the ratio 3 : 5 by 3 and write the new ratio.
IntermediateA class has 16 boys and 20 girls. What is the ratio of boys to girls in simplest form?
ChallengeShare 45 beads in the ratio 7 : 2. How many beads are in each part?
ChallengeGiven 4 : 7 = 12 : x, find x.
ChallengeIf A : B = 2 : 3 and B : C = 3 : 5, find A : B : C.
Error redoA pupil simplified 0.6 : 0.9 to 6 : 9 and stopped. What is the correct simplest ratio?

03　Answers and one-line notes

#	Answer	One-line note
1	4 : 1	Write 12 : 3, divide both terms by 3 to get 4 : 1, meaning 4 sweets for each pupil.
2	3 : 4	The highest common factor of 18 and 24 is 6, and dividing both terms by 6 gives 3 : 4.
3	5 : 8	Divide 35 and 56 by 7 to get 5 : 8, and 5 and 8 share no further factor.
4	4 : 1	Use the same unit first: 2 m = 200 cm, then 200 : 50 divides by 50 to give 4 : 1.
5	9 : 15	Multiplying both terms by the same non-zero number keeps the value, so 3 : 5 = 9 : 15.
6	4 : 5	Divide 16 : 20 by 4 to get 4 : 5, that is 4 boys for every 5 girls.
7	35 beads and 10 beads	There are 7 + 2 = 9 parts, 45 ÷ 9 = 5 beads per part, so 7 × 5 = 35 and 2 × 5 = 10.
8	x = 21	The first term is multiplied by 3 to reach 12, so the second term is 7 × 3 = 21.
9	2 : 3 : 5	B is 3 in both ratios, so the parts already match and the three terms join as 2 : 3 : 5.
10	2 : 3	Multiplying both terms by 10 only clears the decimals; 6 : 9 still divides by 3, so 0.6 : 0.9 = 2 : 3.

04　What to do after marking

After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.

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