Unit rate is defined as a ratio in which denominator is 1. In general, a unit rate is the number of dependent variables per one independent variable.
For example − A monkey eats 8 bananas in 2 minutes
The unit rate here is the number of bananas the monkey eats in a minute.
Unit rate = 8/2 = 4 bananas per minute.
Unit rate and table
If we have a proportional relationship like for example $9 for 3 kg, we can make a table of values and graph the relationship. We already have learnt about unit rate. In this case the unit rate is the number of dollars per 1 kg. Here the unit rate is found as $9/3kg = $3/kg.
In a table or graph, representing proportional relationships, the constant of proportionality and the unit rate are same.
Given a unit rate we can write pairs of x and y values following the proportional relationship as follows. For example if the unit rate is $3/kg we can write (1kg, $3), (2 kg, $6), (3 kg, $9), (4 kg, $12), (5 kg, $15) and so on. We then put these ordered pairs in a table as follows.
Weight in kg(x) | Cost in $(y) |
---|---|
1 | 3 |
2 | 6 |
3 | 9 |
4 | 12 |
5 | 15 |
Unit rate and graph
The proportional relationship for given rate $3/kg can be written as an equation y = 3x. The same can be plotted as a graph given below.
Given a unit rate, we can write a function rule like y = mx, where m is the unit rate, x and y are the variables. Using this rule we can find points with x and y values which can be put in a table. Then we plot these points on a graph.
The relationship having unit rate is given by the equation: y = 2x + 1 Make a table and plot 5 points.
Step 1:
In the equation y = 2x + 1,
For x = 0, y = 1, for x = 1, y = 3 and so on
For different values of x, we get the following table
Input(x) | Output(y) |
---|---|
0 | 1 |
1 | 3 |
2 | 5 |
3 | 7 |
4 | 9 |
Step 2:
Plotting these points we get this graph
The relationship having unit rate is given by the equation: y = 5x. Make a table and plot 5 points.
Step 1:
In the equation y = 5x
For x = 0, y = 0, for x = 1, y = 5 and so on
For different values of x, we get the following table
Input(x) | Output(y) |
---|---|
0 | 0 |
1 | 5 |
2 | 10 |
3 | 15 |
4 | 20 |
Step 2:
Plotting these points we get this graph