Ratios and Fairness in Internet Access Vocabulary Review

Vocabulary Review Sheet

Lesson – Ratios and Fairness in Internet Access

How to Use

• Review each vocabulary word carefully before your quiz.
• Notice how math examples, real-life examples, and fairness examples work together to tell the story of digital access.
• Remember: Ratios help us compare fairly, even when group sizes are different.
• Keep this sheet in your Equity in Numbers Student Journal for quick study and reflection.

Ratio

• Definition: A comparison of two or more quantities showing how many times one value contains another.
• Math Examples:
  • 80:20 → simplified to 4:1
  • 70:30 → simplified to 7:3
  • 50:50 → simplified to 1:1
• Real-Life Example: Comparing families with vs. without internet access in a neighborhood.
• Fairness Example: Ratios show how unequal access to technology can limit learning opportunities.

Simplify

• Definition: To reduce a ratio to its smallest form by dividing both numbers by the same factor.
• Math Examples:
  • 80:20 → ÷20 → 4:1
  • 70:30 → ÷10 → 7:3
  • 60:40 → ÷20 → 3:2
• Real-Life Example: Simplifying ratios helps communities clearly see patterns of access.
• Fairness Example: Simplified ratios make it easier to communicate how big the digital divide is.

Compare

• Definition: To look at two or more ratios and decide which shows more or less of something.
• Math Examples:
  • 4:1 > 3:2 > 1:1
  • Group A (4:1) has better access than Group C (3:2).
• Real-Life Example: Comparing ratios shows which communities have stronger internet connections.
• Fairness Example: Fair comparison ensures that we look beyond total numbers to focus on equal opportunity.

Digital Divide

• Definition: The gap between people who have access to technology and those who do not.
• Math Examples:
  • Group A: 80:20 → strong access
  • Group D: 50:50 → weaker access
  • Ratio gap = 4:1 − 1:1 → big difference in fairness
• Real-Life Example: Some students can join online classes easily while others can’t connect at all.
• Fairness Example: The digital divide shows why schools must support families without reliable internet.

Wi-Fi Access

• Definition: The ability to connect to the internet wirelessly.
• Math Examples:
  • Group A: 4:1 → most families online
  • Group B: 7:3 → some offline
  • Group D: 1:1 → half offline
• Real-Life Example: A home with Wi-Fi can access online homework, lessons, and communication tools.
• Fairness Example: Equal Wi-Fi access means every student can learn and grow digitally, not just a few.

Divide

• Definition: To split one quantity into equal parts or to find how many times one number goes into another.
• Math Examples:
  • 80 ÷ 20 = 4
  • 60 ÷ 40 = 1.5 → ratio 3:2
  • 50 ÷ 50 = 1 → ratio 1:1
• Real-Life Example: Division helps calculate how many families have internet compared to those without.
• Fairness Example: Dividing data fairly reveals patterns of inequality across communities.

Proportion

• Definition: A statement that two ratios are equal or balanced.
• Math Examples:
  • 80:20 = 4:1 → both represent the same relationship.
  • 40:10 = 80:20 → proportionally equal.
• Real-Life Example: If two schools have the same proportion of connected families, their digital access is equally fair.
• Fairness Example: Proportions help compare communities of different sizes fairly.

Equal Access

• Definition: When everyone has the same chance to connect and participate online.
• Math Examples:
  • 50:50 = 1:1 → equal with and without internet.
  • Goal: increase ratio to 4:1 or higher for all groups.
• Real-Life Example: Every student should have internet access for school assignments.
• Fairness Example: Equal access supports educational justice by closing digital gaps.

Fairness

• Definition: Treating everyone equitably by providing what’s needed for equal opportunity.
• Math Examples:
  • 80:20 vs 50:50 → fairness improves as ratio increases.
  • 4:1 shows stronger fairness than 1:1.
• Real-Life Example: Schools may lend Wi-Fi hotspots to families without internet access.
• Fairness Example: Math reveals where fairness needs to grow — ensuring every student can learn online.

Summary of Math + Fairness Connections

Concept	Math Focus	Fairness Connection
Ratio	Compares groups	Shows who has or lacks access
Simplify	Reduces ratios	Clarifies inequality levels
Digital Divide	Measures access gap	Highlights fairness challenges
Proportion	Balances data	Compares communities equally
Fairness	Uses numbers to guide action	Supports equity in learning opportunities