Unit Rate
Definition

A unit rate is a rate expressed with a second term of one.

Example One

The illustration below shows a set of 8 pencils that cost $4.00.

10 pencils that cost $4.00

Some ways of expressing this rate are given below:

Rate expressions for 10 pencils that cost $4.00

This rate can be expressed as a unit rate.


Option One
Option 1

Since the second term is 4.00, divide the terms by 4.00 to get an equivalent rate.

Option 1 - Reduce
Option 1 - Reduced

8 pencils for $4.00 is the same as the unit rate of 2 pencils for a dollar, or 2 pencils per dollar.

2 pencils that cost $1.00

Option Two
Option 2

Since the second term is 8, divide the terms by 8 to get an equivalent rate.

Option 2 - Reduce
Option 2 - Reduced

8 pencils for $4.00 is the same as the unit rate of 2 pencils for a dollar, or 2 pencils per dollar.

2 pencils that cost $1.00
Example Two

A car travels 200 kilometres in 4 hours.


Some ways of expressing this rate are given below:

Rate expressions for 200 kilometres travelled in 4 hours

This rate can be expressed as a unit rate.


Option One
Example 1 - Option 1

Since the second term is 4, divide the terms by 4 to get an equivalent rate.

Example 1 - Option 1 - Reduce
Example 1 - Option 1 - Reduced

200 kilometres in 4 hours is the same as 50 kilometres in 1 hour, or 50 km/hr.


Option Two
Example 2 - Option 2

Since the second term is 200, divide the terms by 200 to get an equivalent rate.

Example 2 - Option 2 - Reduce
Example 2 - Option 2 - Reduced

4 hours in 200 kilometres is the same as 0.02 hours in 1 kilometre (or 72 sec/km).


Speed is usually expressed in km/hr, so option one is the appropriate choice for this example.