Question 50·Medium·Ratios, Rates, Proportional Relationships, and Units
| Beverage Size | Volume | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 500 mL bottle | 500 mL | $1.25 |
| 2-liter jug | 2000 mL | $4.00 |
Based on the table, what is the ratio of the price per milliliter of the 2-liter jug to the price per milliliter of the 500 mL bottle?
For unit-rate ratio questions, always convert each option to a unit rate (like price per mL) by dividing price by quantity, then compare those unit rates in the order the question states. Avoid comparing totals directly; write a clear fraction for the ratio you are asked for and simplify it to match an answer choice quickly.
Hints
Focus on price per milliliter
You are not comparing the total prices directly; you need to compare price per milliliter for each size. How do you find price per milliliter from the table?
Write division expressions
For each option, write a division: (price) divided by (number of milliliters). Do this once for the 2-liter jug and once for the 500 mL bottle.
Form the ratio in the correct order
After you find both price-per-milliliter values, form a ratio of jug price per mL to bottle price per mL. Then simplify that ratio to match one of the choices.
Desmos Guide
Calculate each price per milliliter
In Desmos, type 4/2000 to find the jug's price per mL and 1.25/500 to find the bottle's price per mL. Note both decimal values that Desmos shows.
Compare the two unit prices as a ratio
In a new line, type (4/2000)/(1.25/500) to form the ratio of jug price per mL to bottle price per mL. Look at the decimal or fraction that Desmos gives and match that simplified value to the equivalent ratio in the answer choices.
Step-by-step Explanation
Compute price per milliliter for the 2-liter jug
The 2-liter jug has a volume of mL and costs $4.00.
Price per milliliter for the jug:
This simplifies to dollars per mL.
Compute price per milliliter for the 500 mL bottle
The 500 mL bottle has a volume of mL and costs $1.25.
Price per milliliter for the bottle:
This simplifies to dollars per mL.
Set up the requested ratio
The question asks for the ratio of the price per milliliter of the 2-liter jug to the price per milliliter of the 500 mL bottle.
So we want:
Simplify the ratio and match an answer choice
Simplify the fraction:
So the ratio of the jug's price per milliliter to the bottle's price per milliliter is , which corresponds to choice D.