Student resources
Grades 6-9
Unit Rate and Proportion Practice
Unit rates and proportions help students compare values fairly. They are especially useful for shopping, travel speed, recipes, maps, and unit conversions.
Key ideas
- A unit rate compares a quantity to 1 unit.
- A proportion says two ratios are equal.
- Divide to find a rate per 1 unit.
- Multiply or divide both parts of a ratio by the same number to scale it.
Common Unit Rate Examples
| Situation | Unit rate | Use |
|---|---|---|
| $12 for 4 pounds | $3 per pound | Shopping comparison |
| 150 miles in 3 hours | 50 miles per hour | Travel speed |
| 6 cups water for 3 cups rice | 2 cups water per 1 cup rice | Recipe scaling |
| 240 pages in 6 hours | 40 pages per hour | Reading rate |
Practice questions
A 5-pound bag costs $15. What is the unit price?
Calculation: 15 / 5 = 3
Answer: $3 per pound
A runner goes 12 miles in 2 hours. What is the speed?
Calculation: 12 / 2 = 6
Answer: 6 miles per hour
A recipe uses 3 cups flour for 12 cookies. How much flour for 24 cookies?
Calculation: 24 is 2 times 12, so 3 x 2 = 6
Answer: 6 cups
Are 4/6 and 8/12 proportional?
Calculation: 4/6 x 2/2 = 8/12
Answer: yes