Question

a sixth grade class has 12 boys and 24 girls consider this statement:
for every two boys there are 4 girls do you agree with this statement?

Answer 1

So the ratio of boys to girls is 12:24.. now, is that an equivalent ratio as 2 boys for 4 girls? or 2:4?  let's see.

$\bf \cfrac{boys}{girls}\qquad 12:24\qquad \cfrac{12}{24}\implies \boxed{\cfrac{1}{2}} \\\\\\ \cfrac{boys}{girls}\qquad 2:4\qquad \cfrac{2}{4}\implies \boxed{\cfrac{1}{2}}$

you could start simplifying the 12/24 fraction by dividing by some common multiple, say 2, and get 6/12, then divide by 3 and get 2/4  and stop there.

then you'll notice that 12/24 is really 2/4 in disguise.