Learning Goal: Learn that a unit rate tells how much of one thing goes with exactly 1 of another thing.
Vocabulary
rateA ratio that compares two different kinds of amounts, like miles and hours.
unit rateA rate for exactly 1 unit, like miles per 1 hour.
perA word that means 'for each 1.' Example: $3 per pound.
What You Need to Know
A rate compares two different units, like dollars and pounds.
A unit rate has a 1 as the second amount. Example: 60 miles per 1 hour.
For the ratio a:b, the unit rate is a divided by b.
To find a unit rate, divide the top amount by the bottom amount.
The word 'per' is a clue that you need a unit rate.
Example: 12 cookies for 4 kids is 3 cookies per kid.
Worked Example I Do — watch how it works
A car travels 210 miles in 3 hours at a steady speed. What is the unit rate in miles per hour?
Step 1. Write the rate: 210 miles to 3 hours.
Step 2. A unit rate is 'per 1 hour,' so divide miles by hours.
Step 3. 210 ÷ 3 = 70.
Answer: 70 miles per hour
Guided Practice We Do — try it together
1. 8 muffins cost $4. What is the unit rate (cost per muffin)?
💡 Hint: Divide the dollars by the number of muffins: 4 ÷ 8.
2. A printer makes 90 pages in 6 minutes. How many pages per minute?
💡 Hint: Divide pages by minutes: 90 ÷ 6.
3. A runner goes 12 km in 4 hours. What is the unit rate in km per hour?
💡 Hint: Divide km by hours: 12 ÷ 4.
Independent Practice You Do — show your work
1. 15 apples cost $5. What is the cost per apple?
2. A faucet fills 24 liters in 8 minutes. How many liters per minute?
3. A typist types 180 words in 3 minutes. Words per minute?
4. 5 notebooks cost $7.50. What is the cost per notebook?
5. A plane flies 1,200 miles in 4 hours. Miles per hour?
MCAP-Style Practice
Directions: Answer each item the way you would on the MCAP. For selected-response items, fill in the circle (○) next to the correct answer. For constructed-response items, enter your answer and show your work. Every item below assesses standard 6.RP.A.2.
Item 1Selected Response6.RP.A.2
A store sells 3 pounds of grapes for $7.50. What is the unit price per pound?
Select the correct answer.
Item 2Selected Response6.RP.A.2
Which situation has a unit rate of 4 per 1?
Select the correct answer.
Item 3Constructed Response6.RP.A.2
A bus travels 150 miles in 5 hours at a steady speed. Fill in: the unit rate is ____ miles per hour.
Enter your answer in the space provided. Show your work.
Enter your answer:
Teacher Answer Key (click to show)
Independent 1
$0.33 per apple (or $1 for every 3 apples)
Independent 2
3 liters per minute
Independent 3
60 words per minute
Independent 4
$1.50 per notebook
Independent 5
300 miles per hour
Item 1 · 6.RP.A.2
B — $7.50 ÷ 3 = $2.50 per pound.
Item 2 · 6.RP.A.2
C — 12 ÷ 4 = 4 pens per box.
Item 3 · 6.RP.A.2
30 — 150 ÷ 5 = 30 miles per hour.
Neft Teacher · Grade 6 MCAP Mathematics Review · Standard 6.RP.A.2