How to explain proportion and scaling to your child

How schools teach it now

Children use the 'unitary method' (find the cost of one first, then multiply) or a ratio table, scaling both columns by the same number. Double number lines are also common.

5-minute kitchen-table activity

Pick a recipe for 4 people and rewrite it together for 6. 'If 200 g of flour serves 4, how much for 6?' (Find it for 2 people: 100 g. Six people is three lots: 300 g.)

Common mistakes to watch for

• Adding instead of multiplying when scaling up.
• Mixing up pence and pounds in the answer.
• Scaling only some of the ingredients in a recipe.

Encouragement

Try saying

“What would just one cost?”

Rather than

“Think harder, it's simple.”