Long before calculators and computers, people needed a way to compare things. They wanted to know how much of one thing they got for every unit of another. So, they started using the unit rate system.
Over time, as math became more advanced, people began working on this concept. They realized that unit rate was a powerful tool for understanding the world around them. Its principles have been helping people make sense of quantities for centuries.
What is the Unit Rate?
Unit rate is a comparison of two different quantities when they are expressed in terms of a single unit.
It differs from a rate, in which a certain number of units of the first quantity is compared to one unit of the second quantity.
Unit rate is a way of figuring out how much of something you get for every unit of something else. For example, how many miles a car travels in an hour, or how much money you spend for each toy you buy. It’s all about comparing quantities to see how they relate to each other.
Whether it’s speed, cost, or any other measurement, unit rate helps us understand quantities in a more meaningful way.
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Difference Between Rate and Unit Rate
| Rate | Unit Rate |
|---|---|
| Rate is a measure of the quantity or frequency of one thing in relation to another. | Unit rate is a comparison of two different quantities when they are expressed in terms of a single unit.
It tells you the cost or amount of one unit of something. |
| Example: Miles per hour Dollars per hour | Example: Miles per hour, Dollars per hour. This shows how many miles you travel in one hour. |
Formula:
Unit Rate = Amount of something ÷ Number of units
Examples:
Question: If you buy 4 candies for $2, what is the unit rate?
Answer: Unit rate = $2 ÷ 4 candies
= $0.50 per candy.
Question: If a car travels 120 miles in 2 hours, what is the unit rate?
Answer: Unit rate = 120 miles ÷ 2 hours
= 60 miles per hour.
Question: If you read 60 pages in 3 days, what is the unit rate?
Answer: Unit rate = 60 pages ÷ 3 days
= 20 pages per day.
Question: If you buy 8 pencils for $4, what is the unit rate?
Answer: Unit rate = $4 ÷ 8 pencils
= $0.50 per pencil.
Question: If you bake 24 cookies using 2 cups of flour, what is the unit rate?
Answer: Unit rate = 24 cookies ÷ 2 cups
= 12 cookies per cup of flour.
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Conclusion
Unit rate helps us figure out how much of something there is for each unit of something else. It’s like knowing how fast a car goes or how much you pay for each toy. So, next time you’re comparing things, remember to think about the unit rate!
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