When we talk about two things happening at the same rate, we mean that the ratios of the quantities in the two situations are equivalent. There is also something specific about the situation that is the same.

• If two ladybugs are moving at the same rate, then they are traveling at the same constant speed.
• If two bags of apples are selling for the same rate, then they have the same unit price.
• If we mix two kinds of juice at the same rate, then the mixtures have the same taste.
• If we mix two colors of paint at the same rate, then the mixtures have the same shade.

For example, do these two paint mixtures make the same shade of orange?

• Kiran mixes 9 teaspoons of red paint with 15 teaspoons of yellow paint.
• Tyler mixes 7 teaspoons of red paint with 10 teaspoons of yellow paint.

To know if the two ratios describe the same rate, we can write an equivalent ratio for one or both ratios so that one quantity has the same value. Then we can compare the values for the other quantity.

Here is a double number line that represents Kiran's paint mixture. The ratio is equivalent to the ratios and .

For 10 teaspoons of yellow paint, Kiran would mix in 6 teaspoons of red paint. This is less red paint than Tyler mixes with 10 teaspoons of yellow paint. The ratios and are not equivalent, so these two paint mixtures would not be the same shade of orange.