Mathematics
Advanced
50 mins
Teacher/Student led
Learning Goals
Learning Outcomes
Lesson Files
+90 XP
Teacher-led from the board. Pupils do not need a device, but can follow on one.
What you need:
IWB/Projector/Large Screen

Ratio and Proportion Problem-solving

Choose between sharing, the unitary method and scaling to solve multi-step ratio and proportion problems. Work through a five-clue mystery where each answer unlocks the next step.

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    1 - Getting Started ~4 mins

    Illustration for Getting Started

    Key point

    Here is a puzzle: 36 cookies are shared between two classes in the ratio 4:5. What is the very first thing you would work out before you can share a single cookie?

    👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

    +5 XP

    2 - Watch and Notice ~9 mins

    Three tools solve ratio and proportion problems, and the real skill is picking the right one: sharing when a total is split by a ratio, the unitary method when you find what one is worth then multiply up, and scaling when everything grows by the same factor. Read the question first, decide which kind it is, then choose the tool. We will watch two worked on the ratio bars — look at how each one is cut up before anything is worked out.

    👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

    +10 XP

    3 - Try It Together ~10 mins

    Let's work this one together in two clear steps, and we will say out loud which method we are using before each step.

    Worked example

    Step 1: A smoothie recipe for 3 people uses 5 strawberries. We want enough for 9 people. How many strawberries do we need?

    Step 2: Now we take those strawberries we just worked out and share them between this smoothie and a second recipe in the ratio 2:3. How many strawberries go to each recipe?

    Scale to 15, then share 15 in the ratio 2:3

    +10 XP

    4 - Note Your Method in Your Copy ~2 mins

    COPYBOOK MOMENT

    In your maths copy, for each problem write the method you chose at the top (sharing, the unitary method, or scaling), then your working line by line. Box the final answer.

    Worked example

    8 identical notebooks cost €12. How much do 5 notebooks cost?

    Name the method first, then write the working step by step underneath. Box the final answer when you finish.

    +10 XP
    Pupil practice
    Module 4 · Ratio and Proportion Number
    Lesson 49 · Ratio and Proportion Problem-solving
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