How to Calculate Unit Rate
What is Unit Rate?
A unit rate expresses a ratio with a denominator of 1 — the rate per single unit. Examples: miles per hour, price per pound, steps per minute. Unit rates allow direct comparison between different quantities.
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Unit rate = total quantity / total units
- 2Price per unit: $12 for 4 items → $3/item
- 3Speed: 180 miles in 3 hours → 60 mph
- 4Finding better value: compare unit prices
Worked Examples
Input
3 bottles for $7.50
Result
$2.50 per bottle
$7.50 / 3 = $2.50/bottle
Input
240 miles in 4 hours
Result
60 mph
240/4 = 60 miles/hour
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