Which is a unit rate?

StartFraction 4 dollars Over 3 cans EndFraction
StartFraction 5 students Over 2 teachers EndFraction
6 hours : 1 book
3 miles : 2 days

1 answer

A unit rate is a ratio that compares a quantity to one unit of another quantity. To determine which of the given options represents a unit rate, we can analyze each one:

  1. \( \frac{4 \text{ dollars}}{3 \text{ cans}} \) - This ratio describes the cost per can, but it is not a unit rate because it involves 3 cans instead of 1 can.

  2. \( \frac{5 \text{ students}}{2 \text{ teachers}} \) - This ratio describes the number of students per teacher, but it is not a unit rate as it involves 2 teachers instead of 1 teacher.

  3. 6 hours : 1 book - This ratio indicates that it takes 6 hours for 1 book. This is a unit rate because it expresses the amount of time taken per single book.

  4. 3 miles : 2 days - This indicates that 3 miles are compared to 2 days, but it is not a unit rate because it involves 2 days instead of 1 day.

Based on this analysis, the option 6 hours : 1 book is the only unit rate.