Mastering Unit Rates: A 6th Grade Worksheet Guide
As students progress to 6th grade, they encounter more complex mathematical concepts, including unit rates. A unit rate is a ratio that compares two quantities, where one of the quantities is a single unit. In this worksheet guide, we’ll explore the concept of unit rates, provide examples, and offer a comprehensive worksheet for 6th-grade students to practice and reinforce their understanding.
What is a Unit Rate?
A unit rate is a special type of ratio that compares two quantities, where one of the quantities is a single unit. It is often used to describe rates, such as miles per hour, cost per item, or words per minute. Unit rates are essential in real-life scenarios, like calculating the cost of goods, determining the speed of an object, or measuring the performance of a task.
How to Calculate Unit Rates
Calculating unit rates involves dividing the quantity by the unit. For example:
- If a book costs 15 for 3 books, the unit rate would be 15 ÷ 3 = $5 per book.
- If a car travels 120 miles in 2 hours, the unit rate would be 120 miles ÷ 2 hours = 60 miles per hour.
Types of Unit Rates
There are two main types of unit rates:
- Unit rate with a single unit: This type of unit rate compares two quantities, where one of the quantities is a single unit. For example, miles per hour, cost per item, or words per minute.
- Unit rate with a ratio: This type of unit rate compares two quantities, where both quantities are ratios. For example, miles per hour per person, cost per item per store, or words per minute per page.
Worksheet: Calculating Unit Rates
Instructions: Calculate the unit rate for each problem.
| Problem | Unit Rate |
|---|---|
| 1. A bakery sells 24 cupcakes for $48. What is the unit rate of cupcakes per dollar? | _______ |
| 2. A car travels 210 miles in 3.5 hours. What is the unit rate of miles per hour? | _______ |
| 3. A store sells 15 bags of chips for $30. What is the unit rate of bags of chips per dollar? | _______ |
| 4. A runner completes a 5K run in 2.5 hours. What is the unit rate of kilometers per hour? | _______ |
| 5. A company produces 480 widgets in 8 hours. What is the unit rate of widgets per hour? | _______ |
Answer Key:
- 0.5 cupcakes per dollar
- 60 miles per hour
- 0.5 bags of chips per dollar
- 2 kilometers per hour
- 60 widgets per hour
Additional Practice: Real-World Scenarios
Instructions: Read each scenario and calculate the unit rate.
- A family of four goes to a restaurant and spends $120 on dinner. If they ordered 16 burgers, what is the unit rate of burgers per dollar?
- A cyclist travels 25 miles in 2 hours. What is the unit rate of miles per hour?
- A student reads 300 words in 5 minutes. What is the unit rate of words per minute?
- A company produces 240 units of a product in 4 hours. What is the unit rate of units per hour?
Answers:
- 0.13 burgers per dollar
- 12.5 miles per hour
- 60 words per minute
- 60 units per hour
Conclusion
Mastering unit rates is an essential skill for 6th-grade students, as it helps them understand and solve real-world problems. By practicing with this worksheet and additional scenarios, students will become proficient in calculating unit rates and applying them to various situations. Remember to encourage students to read the questions carefully, identify the quantities, and divide to find the unit rate.
What is the difference between a ratio and a unit rate?
+A ratio is a comparison of two quantities, while a unit rate is a special type of ratio that compares two quantities, where one of the quantities is a single unit.
How do I calculate a unit rate?
+To calculate a unit rate, divide the quantity by the unit. For example, if a book costs 15 for 3 books, the unit rate would be 15 ÷ 3 = $5 per book.
What are some real-world applications of unit rates?
+Unit rates are used in various real-world scenarios, such as calculating the cost of goods, determining the speed of an object, or measuring the performance of a task.
Related Terms:
- teacher synergy llc
- Khan Academy
- IXL
- BrainPOP
- Udacity
- Duolingo
