Unit Rate Math - Math Steps, Examples & Questions

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Unit rate math

Here you will learn about unit rate math problems, including the rates that involve whole numbers, decimals, integers, and fractions, and how to use unit rate math to make comparisons between rates.

Students will first learn about unit rate math problems as part of ratios and proportions in $6$ th grade and $7$ th grade.

What is unit rate math?

Unit rate math problems involve creating equivalent ratios where one part of the ratio is $1.$ A rate is a ratio comparison of different units that can be used to create different quantities.

For example,

The rate of $500$ miles to $2$ hours, can be used to create the unit rate of $250$ miles per hour or mph. In this case, the original rate is $500\text{:}2$ and the equivalent unit rate is $250\text{:}1.$

Unit rates are also a key part of converting between different measurement systems.

For example,

The conversions $1$ foot $=12$ inches or $100$ centimeters $=1$ meter are examples of unit rates that can be used for problems involving measurement.

Let’s look at a few examples of solving unit rate math problems below.

For example,

A bag of $5$ apples costs $\$ 6.00.$ What is the price per apple?

The original rate is $5$ to $\$ 6.00.$ To find the price per apple ( $1$ apple), both sides of the rate are divided by $5,$ leaving the equivalent ratio 1 to $\$ 1.20.$ Each apple costs $\$ 1.20.$

Unit rates can also be used to compare different quantities to decide things like, which rate is cheaper.

For example,

A grocery store sells $3$ pounds of green apples for $\$ 2.34$ and $2$ pounds of red apples for $\$ 1.86.$ Which apples have the better unit price?

Unit price means the price per $1$ unit. In this case, the units are pounds of apples.

Divide each side of the green apples rate by $3,$ to create a rate for $1$ pound of green apples.

Each pound of green apples costs $\$ 0.78.$

Divide each side of the red apples rate by $2,$ to create a rate for $1$ pound of red apples.

Each pound of red apples costs $\$ 0.93.$

The green apples have a better unit price, because they cost less per pound than the red apples.

What is unit rate math?

$What is unit rate math?$

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Common Core State Standards

How does this relate to $6$ th grade math and $7$ th grade math?

Grade 6 – Ratios and Proportional Relationships (6.RP.A.2)
Understand the concept of a unit rate $\cfrac{a}{b}$ associated with a ratio $a\text{:}b$ with $b$ ≠ $0,$ and use rate language in the context of a ratio relationship. For example, “This recipe has a ratio of $3$ cups of flour to $4$ cups of sugar, so there is $\cfrac{3}{4}$ cup of flour for each cup of sugar.” “We paid $\$ 75$ for $15$ hamburgers, which is a rate of $\$ 5$ per hamburger.”

Grade 6 – Ratios and Proportional Relationships (6.RP.A.3b)
Solve unit rate problems including those involving unit pricing and constant speed. For example, if it took $7$ hours to mow $4$ lawns, then at that rate, how many lawns could be mowed in $35$ hours? At what rate were lawns being mowed?

Grade 7 – Ratios and Proportional Relationships (7.RP.A.1)
Compute unit rates associated with ratios of fractions, including ratios of lengths, areas and other quantities measured in like or different units. For example, if a person walks $\cfrac{1}{2}$ mile in each $\cfrac{1}{4}$ hour, compute the unit rate as the complex fraction $\cfrac{\cfrac{1}{2}}{\cfrac{1}{4}}$ miles per hour, equivalently $2$ miles per hour.

How to solve unit rate math problems

In order to solve unit rate math problems:

Write the original rate.
Use multiplication or division to create a unit rate.
Use the unit rate to answer the question.

Unit rate math examples

Example 1: unit rate calculation – whole number

$6$ snack bars cost $\$ 18.$ If all the bars cost the same, what is the price per bar?

Write the original rate.

$6$ snack bars cost $\ \$ 18 → 6 \text{:}\$ 18$

2Use multiplication or division to create a unit rate.

The price ‘per bar’ refers to $1$ bar. Divide each side of the rate by $6,$ to create a rate for $1$ bar.

3Use the unit rate to answer the question.

One bar costs $\$ 3.$

Example 2: unit rate calculation – decimal

A car travels $256$ miles in $5$ hours. If the car travels the same number of miles each hour, what is the miles per hour rate?

Write the original rate.

$256$ miles in $5$ hours $→ 256\text{:}5$

Use multiplication or division to create a unit rate.

The miles ‘per hour’ refers to $1$ hour. Divide each side of the rate by $5,$ to create a rate for $1$ hour.

Use the unit rate to answer the question.

The car travels $51.2$ miles each hour.

Example 3: unit rate calculation – mixed number

A recipe calls for $3$ cups of sugar and $4$ cups of flour. What is the rate of cups of flour per cup of sugar?

Write the original rate.

$3$ cups of sugar and $4$ cups of flour $→ 3\text{:}4$

Use multiplication or division to create a unit rate.

The cups of flour ‘per cup of sugar’ refers to $1$ cup of sugar. Divide each side of the rate by $3,$ to create a rate for $1$ cup of sugar.

Use the unit rate to answer the question.

There are $1 \cfrac{1}{3}$ cups of flour for every cup of sugar.

Example 4: unit rate comparison – decimals

A grocery store sells $3$ pounds of green grapes for $\$ 3.72$ and $4$ pounds of purple grapes for $\$ 4.80.$ Which has the better unit price?

Write the original rate.

$3$ pounds of green grapes for $\$ 3.72 → 3\text{:}\$ 3.72$

$4$ pounds of purple grapes for $\$ 4.80 → 4\text{:}\$ 4.80$

Use multiplication or division to create a unit rate.

Unit price means the price per $1$ unit. In this case, the units are pounds of grapes.

Divide each side of the green grapes rate by $3,$ to create a rate for $1$ pound of green grapes.

Divide each side of the purple grapes rate by $4,$ to create a rate for $1$ pound of purple grapes.

Use the unit rate to answer the question.

The green grapes cost $\$ 1.24$ per pound. The purple grapes cost $\$ 1.20$ per pound, which is less. The purple grapes have a better unit price.

Example 5: unit rate comparison – integers

Temperature gauge $A$ changed by $-49$ degree in $7$ hours. Temperature gauge $B$ changed by $-80$ degrees in $10$ hours. Which gauge showed a slower degree change in temperature per hour?

Write the original rate.

$-49$ degree in $7$ hours $→ -49\text{:}7$

$-80$ degrees in $10$ hours $→ -80\text{:}10$

Use multiplication or division to create a unit rate.

The degree change in temperature ‘per hour’ refers to $1$ hour. Divide each side of the gauge $A$ rate by $7,$ to create a rate for $1$ hour.

Divide each side of the gauge $B$ rate by $10,$ to create a rate for $1$ hour.

Use the unit rate to answer the question.

Gauge $A$ dropped $7$ degrees each hour. Gauge $B$ dropped $8$ degrees each hour.

Gauge $A$ had a slower degree change per hour.

Example 6: unit rate calculation – fractions

Kai walks $1 \cfrac{1}{2}$ miles in $\cfrac{3}{4}$ of an hour. If his rate is steady, how many miles does Kai walk in $1$ hour?

Write the original rate.

$1 \cfrac{1}{2}$ miles in $\cfrac{3}{4}$ of an hour $→ 1 \cfrac{1}{2}\text{:}\cfrac{3}{4}$

Use multiplication or division to create a unit rate.

To create the rate for $1$ hour, you need to go from $\cfrac{3}{4}$ to $1.$ This can be done with division or multiplication:

Example 7: unit rate comparison – fractions

A sink leaks $\cfrac{1}{3}$ of a cup of water every $5$ minutes. A shower leaks $\cfrac{2}{5}$ of a cup of water every $8$ minutes. Which leaks faster per minute?

Write the original rate.

$\cfrac{1}{3}$ of a cup every $5$ minutes $→ \cfrac{1}{3}\text{:}5$

$\cfrac{2}{5}$ of a cup every $8$ minutes $→ \cfrac{2}{5}\text{:}8$

Use multiplication or division to create a unit rate.

The leak rate ‘per minute’ refers to $1$ minute. Divide each side of the sink rate by $5,$ to create a rate for $1$ minute.

*Note: You can also multiply each side by $\cfrac{1}{5}.$

Multiply each side of the shower rate by $\cfrac{1}{8},$ to create a rate for $1$ minute.

*Note: You can also divide each side by $8.$

Use the unit rate to answer the question.

The sink leaks $\cfrac{1}{15}$ of a cup per minute. The shower leaks $\cfrac{1}{20}$ of a cup per minute.

The sink has a faster leak rate per minute.

Teaching tips for unit rate math

The topic unit rate has endless real-world connections, so it is easy to introduce it through a relevant example and continue to bring in new real world examples as students progress in their understanding.

Worksheets can be useful, but be sure to include worksheets that include word problems and a variety of solving strategies.

Students who are struggling may find a step-by-step guide helpful, like the one provided on this page.

Easy mistakes to make

Calculating the wrong unit rate
For example, if $10$ tennis balls cost $\$ 5,$ the price per ball would be $\$ 5 \div 10=\$ 0.50.$
An alternative would be to calculate $10 \div 5=2,$ which is the number of balls per dollar.
Each solving method is correct, but they solve for different unit rates. Always pay attention to which unit rate you are being asked to find.

Adding and subtracting to find a unit rate
Ratios and rates represent a multiplicative relationship, so multiplication or division can be used to calculate equivalent rates. Adding or subtracting will lead to the incorrect unit rate.

Practice unit rate math questions

\$ 2

\$ 0.50

\$ 8

\$ 1.75

$8$ watermelons cost $\$ 16 → 8\text{:}\$ 16$

The price ‘per watermelon’ refers to $1$ watermelon. Divide each side of the rate by $8,$ to create a rate for $1$ watermelon.

$Unit rate math Image 15 US$

One watermelon costs $\$ 2.$

$19$ miles

$18$ miles

$19 \cfrac{1}{3}$ miles

$18 \cfrac{2}{3}$ miles

$58$ miles in $3$ hours $→ 58\text{:}3$

The miles ‘per hour’ refers to $1$ hour. Divide each side of the rate by $3,$ to create a rate for $1$ hour.

$Unit rate math Image 16 US$

The boat travels $19 \cfrac{1}{3}$ miles per hour.

Offer $A$

Offer $B$

Offer $C$

All offers are the same price per pizza

Offer $A$ : $3$ pizzas for $\$ 24 → 3\text{:}\$ 24$

$Unit rate math Image 17 US$

Each pizza in Offer $A$ costs $\$ 8.$

Offer $B$ : $5$ pizzas for $\$ 35 → 5\text{:}\$ 35$

$Unit rate math Image 18 US$

Each pizza in Offer $B$ costs $\$ 7.$

Offer $C$ : $15$ pizzas for $\$ 135 → 15\text{:}\$ 135$

$Unit rate math Image 19 US$

Each pizza in Offer $C$ costs $\$ 9.$

Offer $B$ has the cheapest cost per pizza.

Pack $A$ ; it is $\$ 0.05$ cheaper per pen

Pack $B$ ; it is $\$ 0.50$ cheaper per pen

Pack $A$ ; it is $\$ 0.50$ cheaper per pen

Pack $B$ ; it is $\$ 0.05$ cheaper per pen

Pack $A$ : $2$ pens for $\$ 3.20 → 2\text{:}\$ 3.20$

$Unit rate math Image 20 US$

Each pen in Pack $A$ costs $\$ 1.60.$

Pack $B$ : $3$ pens for $\$ 4.65 → 3\text{:}\$ 4.65$

$Unit rate math Image 21 US$

Each pen in Pack $B$ costs $\$ 1.55.$

$\$1.60-\$1.55 = \$0.05.$

Pack $B$ costs $\$ 0.05$ cheaper than Pack $A.$

$2$ ounces per second

$\cfrac{9}{10}$ ounces per second

$1 \cfrac{1}{9}$ ounces per second

$\cfrac{2}{5}$ ounces per second

$\cfrac{2}{3}$ of an ounce of water every $\cfrac{3}{5}$ of a second $→ \cfrac{2}{3}\text{:} \cfrac{3}{5}.$

The rate ‘per second’ refers to $1$ second. Divide each side of the rate by $\cfrac{3}{5},$ to create a rate for $1$ second.

$Unit rate math Image 22 US$

*Note: You can also multiply each side by $\cfrac{5}{3}.$

$1 \cfrac{1}{9}$ ounces of water evaporates every second.

$11$ minutes on Machine $B$

$2$ minutes on Machine $A$

$4 \cfrac{1}{2}$ minutes on Machine $A$

$12 \cfrac{1}{2}$ minutes on Machine $B$

Machine $A$ : $\cfrac{2}{3}$ of a blanket every $3$ minutes $→ \cfrac{2}{3}\text{:} 3$

Machine $B$ : $\cfrac{2}{5}$ of a blanket every $5$ minutes $→ \cfrac{2}{5}\text{:} 5$

Divide each side of the Machine $A$ rate by $\cfrac{2}{3},$ to create a rate for $1$ minute.

$Unit rate math Image 23 US$

*Note: You can also multiply each side by $\cfrac{3}{2}.$

Machine $A$ makes one sweater in $4 \cfrac{1}{2}$ minutes.

Divide each side of the Machine $B$ rate by $\cfrac{2}{5},$ to create a rate for $1$ minute.

$Unit rate math Image 24 US$

*Note: You can also multiply each side by $\cfrac{5}{2}.$

Machine $B$ makes one sweater in $12 \cfrac{1}{2}$ minutes.

Unit rate math FAQs

How does unit rate math learning progress?

In middle school, solving unit rate begins with rates involving whole numbers. This sometimes leads to fractional unit rates, but not always (as shown in examples $1\text{-}3$ on this page).

Then the topic progresses to include rates with rational numbers, including rates with the original number of units as decimals, integers and fractions. Working with these rates requires solving rational operations to calculate the unit rate (as shown in examples $4\text{-}8$ on this page).

Can a unit rate be written as a fraction?

Yes, the numerator would represent the unit rate and denominator would be $1.$

How does unit rate math connect to pre-algebra?

When working with linear graphs in pre-algebra, the unit rate is the slope of a line.

The next lessons are

Proportion
Converting fractions, decimals and percentages
Percent

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