55:12

分析:(1)先把比的前项40厘米化为

米,再根据比的基本性质作答,即比的前项和后项同时乘或除以一个数(0除外)比值不变;
(2)用最简比的前项除以后项即可.
解答:(1)40厘米=

米
1

米:40厘米,
=

米:

米,
=(

×

:(

×30),
=55:12,
(2)1

米:40厘米,
=55:12,
=55÷12,
=

.
故答案为:55:12,

点评:注意化简比的结果是一个比,它的前项和后项都是整数,并且是互质数;而求比值的结果是一个数,可以是整数、小数或分数;还要注意无论是化简比还是求比值,比的前后项是名数的,都要先把单位化统一再计算..