The Ratio Table: a tool for understanding ratios

Abstract

Arnold Arons described an inadequate understanding of ratios as "one of the most serious impediments to the study of science" [1]. Yet ample math and physics education research demonstrates that STEM university students struggle with ratios. For example, students are familiar with the notion of "meters per second", but many do not attribute meaning to the notion of "seconds per meter" [2]. This manuscript presents a simple technique dubbed "The Ratio Table" for helping students work algebraically with ratios, and make physical sense of units involving "per". The technique was implemented and assessed through repeated pre-and post administration of a set of written questions. Results suggest that this relatively small intervention can boost student performance.