1. TAPE DIAGRAMS Best used when the two quantities have the same units.
Highlights the multiplicative relationship
between quantities.

2. TAPE DIAGRAMS
The ratio for three parts yellow paint to two parts blue paint can be shown with the following tape diagram: 5
What is the total number of parts represented? 1 5
How much of the total does each rectangle represent?
If the tape diagram represents 5 cups of paint then each of these rectangles would represent how much?
1 cup
If the diagram represents a total of one gallon, then each rectangle represents how much?
1 of a gallon 5
What part of the gallon is yellow paint?
3 of a gallon 5

3. USING TAPE DIAGRAMS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS
Slimy Gloopy mixture is made by mixing glue and liquid laundry starch in a ratio of 3 to 2. How much glue and how much starch is needed to make 85 cups of Slimy Gloopy mixture?
GLUE:
STARCH:
Start by making your base tape diagram:
The total amount represents how much?
5 parts =
85 cups
Each part represents how much?
1 part =
85 ÷ 5 = 17 cups
Amount of glue in 85 cups:
3 parts=
3 x 17 = 51 cups
Amount of starch in 85 cups
2 parts=
2 x 17 = 34 cups
You need 51 cups of glue and 34 cups of starch for 85 cups of Slimy Gloopy mixture.
Adapted from commoncoretools.wordpress.com