Step-by-step explanation:

EXAMPLE: In a class of 40, there are 16 boys and 24 girls.

EXPLANATION:

A ratio can be expressed in three forms:

1) word form - we use "to"

16 boys to 24 girls

2) colon form - we use " : "

16 : 24 (read as, " 16 "is to" 24)

3) fraction form - we use fraction

In case of fraction form, we prefer to reduce it to the lowest term. To get the lowest term, we divide both the numerator and denominator with the GCF:

So we can also say that the ratio is

Now, how do know what goes first? It depends on the question. If the question asked

a) ratio of BOYS to girls

then the ANSWER is 16:24

b) ratio of GIRLS to BOYS

the ANSWER is 24:16

So 7:6 can be written as . It is already in the lowest term because 7 is a prime number.