Unit Rates

A rate is a ratio that is used for comparing two different quantities that have different units. Rates are used in pricing goods such as grocery store items, gasoline, tickets to a concert, and other items. Rates are also used when paying wages and when paying monthly fees of all types.

The unit rate is a rate that illustrates how many units of quantity correspond to the single unit of another quantity. For example, something might cost $12 per pound, you might drive 52 miles per hour, or there may be 100 pennies per American dollar.

Calculating unit rates

We use division to calculate unit rates based on the given information.

Example 1

An SUV travels 78 miles on 4 gallons of gasoline. Find the unit rate that indicates how many miles per gallon the SUV gets.

To find the solution, simply divide 78 by 4.

$\frac{78\mathrm{miles}}{4\mathrm{gallons}}=19.5\frac{\mathrm{miles}}{\mathrm{gallons}}$

The SUV gets 19.5 miles per gallon.

Example 2

Pedro can type 24 pages in 8 minutes. Find the rate that indicates how many pages he can type per minute.

To find the solution, simply divide 24 by 8.

$\frac{24\mathrm{pages}}{8\mathrm{minutes}}=3\frac{\mathrm{pages}}{\mathrm{minute}}$ .

Pedro can type 3 pages per minute.

Example 3

Rohit earns INR 30000 working 30 hours. Find their hourly rate.

$\frac{30000}{30}=\frac{3000}{3}$

$=\frac{1000}{1}$

Therefore, Rohit earns INR 1000 per hour.

Practice calculating unit rates

a. A copy machine makes 45 copies in 25 seconds. Find the unit rate in copies per second.

Divide 45 by 25 to find the unit rate.

$\frac{45}{25}=\frac{9}{5}=1.8$

The copy machine makes 1.8 copies per second.

b. Rebecca travels 400 kilometers in 10 hours. Find the unit rate in kilometers per hour.

Divide 400 by 10 to find the unit rate.

$\frac{400}{10}=\frac{40}{1}$

Rebecca drives 40 kilometers per hour.

Topics related to the Unit Rates

Rate of Change

Rate-Time-Distance Problems

Rates

Flashcards covering the Unit Rates

6th Grade Math Flashcards

Common Core: 6th Grade Math Flashcards

Practice tests covering the Unit Rates

MAP 6th Grade Math Practice Tests

Get help learning about unit rates

Unit rates are a type of math that is important for everyday life. We use unit rates daily in our shopping, driving, and work life. So it's important that students understand how unit rates work. If your student could use some help understanding unit rates, get them some help from a professional math tutor. A tutor is an excellent resource for your student because they can work at your student's pace, taking it slow and going through each step in the process when necessary. At the same time, the tutor can speed through concepts that your student picks up quickly and easily. Your student can ask their tutor questions as soon as they arise, so they understand unit rate concepts right away. To get signed up and learn more about how tutoring can benefit your student, contact the Educational Directors at Varsity Tutors today.