Bar Models for Ratios · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Bar Models for Ratios

Mathematics · Ratio & Proportion · ages 9-12
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. 20 pounds is shared in the ratio 3:2. What is one bar block worth?

    • 5 pounds
    • 4 pounds
    • 10 pounds
    • 3 pounds

  2. To share 20 pounds in the ratio 3:2, how many equal blocks does the bar model need?

    Answer: ______________

  3. A ratio of 3:2 is shown with a bar model. How many equal boxes do you draw in total?

    • 3
    • 2
    • 5

  4. Before you can read off an answer from a bar model, what must you find first?

    • The value of one box
    • The total number of boxes
    • The name of the ratio

  5. This bar model shows £20 shared in the ratio 3:2. How many boxes does Zoe get?

    Amy 14Amy 24Amy 34Zoe 14Zoe 24
    • 2
    • 3
    • 5

  6. Holly says bar models, tables and double number lines can all show the same proportion. Is Holly right?

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. 20 pounds is shared in the ratio 3:2. How many pounds does the larger share get?

    Answer: ______________

  8. Sam shares £20 in the ratio 3:2 using a bar model with 5 equal boxes. How much is one box worth?

    Answer: ______________

  9. Priya wants to compare 3 red beads to 5 blue beads across many different possible totals, not just one fixed amount. Which model shows every possible total at a glance?

    • A bar model
    • A double number line
    • A table of values

  10. 20 pounds is shared in the ratio 3:2. How many pounds does the smaller share get?

    Answer: ______________

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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Bar Models for Ratios W1-mt_ePXg_XyCKU-s1

  1. 4 pounds · 5 blocks share 20 pounds, so each block is 4 pounds.
  2. 5 · 3 + 2 = 5 blocks.
  3. 5 · Add the two numbers in the ratio: 3 + 2 = 5 boxes.
  4. The value of one box · Once you know what one box is worth, you can multiply to find any share.
  5. 2 · Zoe's boxes are the last 2 in the strip, matching the second number in the ratio.
  6. True · Holly is right: each picture shows the same relationship differently.
  7. 12 · 3 blocks at 4 pounds each give 12 pounds.
  8. 4 · Divide the total by the number of boxes: 20 ÷ 5 = 4.
  9. A double number line · A bar model works best when you already know the one total you're sharing. A table lists only the totals you choose to write down. A double number line stretches to show them all at once, so it is the best fit here.
  10. 8 · 2 blocks at 4 pounds each give 8 pounds.
Worksheet · LightMySky