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Ratios and Proportions

Construct ratios to express comparison of two quantities.

Learning Objectives

After completing this section, you should be able to:

Construct ratios to express comparison of two quantities.
Use and apply proportional relationships to solve problems.
Determine and apply a constant of proportionality.
Use proportions to solve scaling problems.

Constructing Ratios to Express Comparison of Two Quantities

Note there are three different ways to write a ratio, which is a comparison of two numbers that can be written as: $a$ to $b$ OR $a:b$ OR the fraction $a/b$. Which method you use often depends upon the situation. For the most part, we will want to write our ratios using the fraction notation. Note that, while all ratios are fractions, not all fractions are ratios. Ratios make part to part, part to whole, and whole to part comparisons. Fractions make part to whole comparisons only.

Expressing the Relationship between Two Currencies as a Ratio

Try it.

The Euro (€) is the most common currency used in Europe. Twenty-two nations, including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands use it. On June 9, 2021, 1 U.S. dollar was worth 0.82 Euros. Write this comparison as a ratio.

Solution

Using the definition of ratio, let $a=1$ U.S. dollar and let $b=0.82$ Euros. Then the ratio can be written as either 1 to 0.82; or 1:0.82; or $\frac{1}{0.82}.$

Expressing the Relationship between Two Weights as a Ratio

Try it.

The gravitational pull on various planetary bodies in our solar system varies. Because weight is the force of gravity acting upon a mass, the weights of objects is different on various planetary bodies than they are on Earth. For example, a person who weighs 200 pounds on Earth would weigh only 33 pounds on the moon! Write this comparison as a ratio.

Solution

Using the definition of ratio, let $a=200$ pounds on Earth and let $b=33$ pounds on the moon. Then the ratio can be written as either 200 to 33; or 200:33; or $\frac{200}{33}.$

Using and Applying Proportional Relationships to Solve Problems

Using proportions to solve problems is a very useful method. It is usually used when you know three parts of the proportion, and one part is unknown. Proportions are often solved by setting up like ratios. If $\frac{a}{b}$ and $\frac{c}{d}$ are two ratios such that $\frac{a}{b}=\frac{c}{d},$ then the fractions are said to be proportional. Also, two fractions $\frac{a}{b}$ and $\frac{c}{d}$ are proportional $(\frac{a}{b}=\frac{c}{d})$ if and only if $a\times d=b\times c$.

Solving a Proportion Involving Two Currencies

Try it.

You are going to take a trip to France. You have $520 U.S. dollars that you wish to convert to Euros. You know that 1 U.S. dollar is worth 0.82 Euros. How much money in Euros can you get in exchange for $520?

Solution

Step 1: Set up the two ratios into a proportion; let $x$ be the variable that represents the unknown. Notice that U.S. dollar amounts are in both numerators and Euro amounts are in both denominators. \[\frac{1}{0.82}=\frac{520}{x}\]

Step 2: Cross multiply, since the ratios $\frac{a}{b}$ and $\frac{c}{d}$ are proportional, then $a\times d=b\times c$.

\[\begin{array}{lll}520(0.82) & = & 1(x) \\ 426.4 & = & x\end{array}\]

You should receive $426.4$ Euros $(426.4\text{€})$.

Solving a Proportion Involving Weights on Different Planets

Try it.

A person who weighs 170 pounds on Earth would weigh 64 pounds on Mars. How much would a typical racehorse (1,000 pounds) weigh on Mars? Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

Solution

Step 1: Set up the two ratios into a proportion. Notice the Earth weights are both in the numerator and the Mars weights are both in the denominator. \[\frac{170}{64}=\frac{1,000}{x}\]

Step 2: Cross multiply, and then divide to solve.

\[\begin{array}{lll}170x & = & 1,000(64) \\ 170x & = & 64,000 \\ \frac{170x}{170} & = & \frac{64,000}{170} \\ x & = & 376.5\end{array}\]

So the 1,000-pound horse would weigh about 376.5 pounds on Mars.

Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax Contemporary Mathematics.

Determining and Applying a Constant of Proportionality

In the last example, we were given that $2\frac{1}{4}$ cups of flour could make 60 cookies; we then calculated that $38\frac{1}{4}$ cups of flour would make 1,020 cookies, and 720 cookies could be made from 27 cups of flour. Each of those three ratios is written as a fraction below (with the fractions converted to decimals). What happens if you divide the numerator by the denominator in each?

\[\begin{array}{lll}\frac{2.25}{60}=0.0375 & \ \frac{38.25}{1,020}=0.0375 & \ \frac{27}{720}=0.0375\text{.}\end{array}\]

The quotients in each are exactly the same! This number, determined from the ratio of cups of flour to cookies, is called the constant of proportionality. If the values $a$ and $b$ are related by the equality $\frac{a}{b}=k,$ then $k$ is the constant of proportionality between $a$ and $b$. Note since $\frac{a}{b}=k,$ then $b=\frac{a}{k}.$ and $b=\frac{a}{k}.$

One piece of information that we can derive from the constant of proportionality is a unit rate. In our example (cups of flour divided by cookies), the constant of proportionality is telling us that it takes 0.0375 cups of flour to make one cookie. What if we had performed the calculation the other way (cookies divided by cups of flour)?

\[\begin{array}{lll}\frac{60}{2.25}=26.66666... & \ \frac{1,020}{38.25}=26.66666... & \ \frac{720}{27}=26.66666...\end{array}\]

In this case, the constant of proportionality $(26.66666\ldots =26\frac{2}{3})$ is telling us that $26\frac{2}{3}$ cookies can be made with one cup of flour. Notice in both cases, the "one" unit is associated with the denominator. The constant of proportionality is also useful in calculations if you only know one part of the ratio and wish to find the other.

Finding a Constant of Proportionality

Try it.

Isabelle has a part-time job. She kept track of her pay and the number of hours she worked on four different days, and recorded it in the table below. What is the constant of proportionality, or pay divided by hours? What does the constant of proportionality tell you in this situation?

Pay	$87.50	$50.00	$37.50	$100.00
Hours	7	4	3	8

Solution

To find the constant of proportionality, divide the pay by hours using the information from any of the four columns. For example, $\frac{87.5}{7}=12.5$. The constant of proportionality is 12.5, or $12.50. This tells you Isabelle's hourly pay: For every hour she works, she gets paid $12.50.

Condensed — the full section is in OpenStax Contemporary Mathematics.

Using Proportions to Solve Scaling Problems

Ratio and proportions are used to solve problems involving scale. One common place you see a scale is on a map (as represented in ). In this image, 1 inch is equal to 200 miles. This is the scale. This means that 1 inch on the map corresponds to 200 miles on the surface of Earth. Another place where scales are used is with models: model cars, trucks, airplanes, trains, and so on. A common ratio given for model cars is 1:24—that means that 1 inch in length on the model car is equal to 24 inches (2 feet) on an actual automobile. Although these are two common places that scale is used, it is used in a variety of other ways as well.

Solving a Scaling Problem Involving Maps

Try it.

is an outline map of the state of Colorado and its counties. If the distance of the southern border is 380 miles, determine the scale (i.e., 1 inch = how many miles). Then use that scale to determine the approximate lengths of the other borders of the state of Colorado.

Solution

When the southern border is measured with a ruler, the length is 4 inches. Since the length of the border in real life is 380 miles, our scale is 1 inch $=95$ miles.

The eastern and western borders both measure 3 inches, so their lengths are about 285 miles. The northern border measures the same as the southern border, so it has a length of 380 miles.

Solving a Scaling Problem Involving Model Cars

Try it.

Die-cast NASCAR model cars are said to be built on a scale of 1:24 when compared to the actual car. If a model car is 9 inches long, how long is a real NASCAR automobile? Write your answer in feet.

Solution

The scale tells us that 1 inch of the model car is equal to 24 inches (2 feet) on the real automobile. So set up the two ratios into a proportion. Notice that the model lengths are both in the numerator and the NASCAR automobile lengths are both in the denominator.

\[\begin{array}{lll}\frac{1}{24} & = & \frac{9}{x} \\ 24(9) & = & x \\ 216 & = & x\end{array}\]

This amount (216) is in inches. To convert to feet, divide by 12, because there are 12 inches in a foot (this conversion from inches to feet is really another proportion!). The final answer is:

\[\frac{216}{12}=18\]

The NASCAR automobile is 18 feet long.

Key Concepts

A ratio is a comparison of two numbers. The ratio of two numbers $a$ and $b$ can be written as: $a$ to $b$ OR $a$:$b$ OR the fraction $a$/$b$.
All fractions are ratios, but not all ratios are fractions. Ratios make part to part, part to whole, and whole to part comparisons. Fractions make part to whole comparisons only.
When two ratios are equal, we say they are in proportion or are proportional.
Setting up proportions allows us to solve many various situations where three of the four values of the proportion are known.

Practice (11)

Try each one on paper first. Reveal the answer to check; verified ones can be opened in the solver for every step.

The Euro (€) is the most common currency used in Europe. Twenty-two nations, including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands use it. On June 9, 2021, 1 U.S. dollar was worth 0.82 Euros. Write this comparison as a ratio.

ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ

Using the definition of ratio, let $a=1$ U.S. dollar and let $b=0.82$ Euros. Then the ratio can be written as either 1 to 0.82; or 1:0.82; or $\frac{1}{0.82}.$
The gravitational pull on various planetary bodies in our solar system varies. Because weight is the force of gravity acting upon a mass, the weights of objects is different on various planetary bodies than they are on Earth. For example, a person who weighs 200 pounds on Earth would weigh only 33 pounds on the moon! Write this comparison as a ratio.

ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ

Using the definition of ratio, let $a=200$ pounds on Earth and let $b=33$ pounds on the moon. Then the ratio can be written as either 200 to 33; or 200:33; or $\frac{200}{33}.$
You are going to take a trip to France. You have $520 U.S. dollars that you wish to convert to Euros. You know that 1 U.S. dollar is worth 0.82 Euros. How much money in Euros can you get in exchange for $520?

ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ

Step 1: Set up the two ratios into a proportion; let $x$ be the variable that represents the unknown. Notice that U.S. dollar amounts are in both numerators and Euro amounts are in both denominators. \[\frac{1}{0.82}=\frac{520}{x}\]
Step 2: Cross multiply, since the ratios $\frac{a}{b}$ and $\frac{c}{d}$ are proportional, then $a\times d=b\times c$.
\[\begin{array}{lll}520(0.82) & = & 1(x) \\ 426.4 & = & x\end{array}\]
You should receive $426.4$ Euros $(426.4\text{€})$.
A person who weighs 170 pounds on Earth would weigh 64 pounds on Mars. How much would a typical racehorse (1,000 pounds) weigh on Mars? Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ

Step 1: Set up the two ratios into a proportion. Notice the Earth weights are both in the numerator and the Mars weights are both in the denominator. \[\frac{170}{64}=\frac{1,000}{x}\]
Step 2: Cross multiply, and then divide to solve.
\[\begin{array}{lll}170x & = & 1,000(64) \\ 170x & = & 64,000 \\ \frac{170x}{170} & = & \frac{64,000}{170} \\ x & = & 376.5\end{array}\]
So the 1,000-pound horse would weigh about 376.5 pounds on Mars.
A cookie recipe needs $2\frac{1}{4}$ cups of flour to make 60 cookies. Jackie is baking cookies for a large fundraiser; she is told she needs to bake 1,020 cookies! How many cups of flour will she need?

ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ

Step 1: Set up the two ratios into a proportion. Notice that the cups of flour are both in the numerator and the amounts of cookies are both in the denominator. To make the calculations more efficient, the cups of flour $(2\frac{1}{4})$ is converted to a decimal number (2.25). \[\frac{2.25}{60}=\frac{x}{1020}\]
Step 2: Cross multiply, and then simplify to solve.
\[\begin{array}{lll}2.25(1,020) & = & 60x \\ 2,295 & = & 60x \\ 38.25 & = & x\end{array}\]
Jackie will need 38.25, or $38\frac{1}{4}$, cups of flour to bake 1,020 cookies.
Isabelle has a part-time job. She kept track of her pay and the number of hours she worked on four different days, and recorded it in the table below. What is the constant of proportionality, or pay divided by hours? What does the constant of proportionality tell you in this situation?
Pay $87.50 $50.00 $37.50 $100.00
Hours 7 4 3 8

ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ

To find the constant of proportionality, divide the pay by hours using the information from any of the four columns. For example, $\frac{87.5}{7}=12.5$. The constant of proportionality is 12.5, or $12.50. This tells you Isabelle's hourly pay: For every hour she works, she gets paid $12.50.
Zac runs at a constant speed: 4 miles per hour (mph). One day, Zac left his house at exactly noon (12:00 PM) to begin running; when he returned, his clock said 4:30 PM. How many miles did he run?

ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ

The constant of proportionality in this problem is 4 miles per hour (or 4 miles in 1 hour). Since $\frac{a}{b}=k,$ where $k$ is the constant of proportionality, we have
$\frac{a\ \text{miles}}{b\ \text{hours}}=k$
$\frac{a}{4.5}=4$ (30 minutes is $½$, or $0.5$, hours)
$a=4(4.5)$, since from the definition we know $a=kb$
$a=18$
Zac ran 18 miles.
Joe had a job where every time he filled a bucket with dirt, he was paid $2.50. One day Joe was paid $337.50. How many buckets did he fill that day?

ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ

The constant of proportionality in this situation is $2.50 per bucket (or $2.50 for 1 bucket). Since $\frac{a}{b}=k,$ where $k$ is the constant of proportionality, we have
\[\begin{array}{lll}\frac{a\ \text{dollars}}{b\ \text{buckets}} & = & k \\ \frac{337.50}{b} & = & 2.50\end{array}\]
Since we are solving for $b$, and we know from the definition that \[b=\frac{a}{k}:\]
\[\begin{array}{lll}b & = & \frac{337.50}{2.50} \\ b & = & 135\end{array}\]
Joe filled 135 buckets.
While driving in Canada, Mabel quickly noticed the distances on the road signs were in kilometers, not miles. She knew the constant of proportionality for converting kilometers to miles was about 0.62—that is, there are about 0.62 miles in 1 kilometer. If the last road sign she saw stated that Montreal is 104 kilometers away, about how many more miles does Mabel have to drive? Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ

The constant of proportionality in this situation is 0.62 miles per 1 kilometer. Since $\frac{a}{b}=k,$ where $k$ is the constant of proportionality, we have
\[\begin{array}{lll}\frac{a\ \text{miles}}{b\ \text{kilometers}} & = & k \\ \frac{a}{104} & = & 0.62 \\ a & = & 0.62(104) \\ a & = & 64.48\end{array}\]
Rounding the answer to the nearest tenth, Mabel has to drive 64.5 miles.
is an outline map of the state of Colorado and its counties. If the distance of the southern border is 380 miles, determine the scale (i.e., 1 inch = how many miles). Then use that scale to determine the approximate lengths of the other borders of the state of Colorado.

ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ

When the southern border is measured with a ruler, the length is 4 inches. Since the length of the border in real life is 380 miles, our scale is 1 inch $=95$ miles.
The eastern and western borders both measure 3 inches, so their lengths are about 285 miles. The northern border measures the same as the southern border, so it has a length of 380 miles.
Die-cast NASCAR model cars are said to be built on a scale of 1:24 when compared to the actual car. If a model car is 9 inches long, how long is a real NASCAR automobile? Write your answer in feet.

ଉତ୍ତରକୁ ଖୋଲନ୍ତୁ

The scale tells us that 1 inch of the model car is equal to 24 inches (2 feet) on the real automobile. So set up the two ratios into a proportion. Notice that the model lengths are both in the numerator and the NASCAR automobile lengths are both in the denominator.
\[\begin{array}{lll}\frac{1}{24} & = & \frac{9}{x} \\ 24(9) & = & x \\ 216 & = & x\end{array}\]
This amount (216) is in inches. To convert to feet, divide by 12, because there are 12 inches in a foot (this conversion from inches to feet is really another proportion!). The final answer is:
\[\frac{216}{12}=18\]
The NASCAR automobile is 18 feet long.

Symbols used here

imaginary unit
i² = −1.

\pm

plus or minus
Both signs at once: x = 3 ± 2 means 5 and 1.

\neq

not equal
The two sides are different.

\leq,\ \geq

less/greater than or equal
Inequalities that allow equality; < and > exclude it.

\sqrt{x},\ \sqrt[n]{x}

square root, n-th root
The non-negative number whose square (n-th power) is x.

|x|

absolute value / modulus
Distance from zero: |−3| = 3. For a complex number, distance from the origin.

\log_b x,\ \ln x

logarithm, natural log
The exponent b must be raised to for x; ln uses base e.

\mathbb{N},\ \mathbb{Z},\ \mathbb{Q},\ \mathbb{R},\ \mathbb{C}

number sets
Naturals, integers, rationals, reals, complex numbers.

How to: Ratios and Proportions

Construct ratios to express comparison of two quantities.
Use and apply proportional relationships to solve problems.
Determine and apply a constant of proportionality.
Use proportions to solve scaling problems.
ratio
proportion
constant of proportionality
scale

Questions people ask

What does it mean to solve an equation?

To find every value of the unknown that makes both sides equal. Each step is an operation applied to both sides that keeps the solution set the same, until the unknown stands alone.

Why do I sometimes get two answers?

A quadratic can cross the axis twice, so it can have two solutions. A degree-n polynomial has up to n. The graph shows where each one comes from.

How do I know whether to factor or use the quadratic formula?

Try factoring for a few seconds: look for two numbers that multiply to a·c and add to b. If nothing obvious appears, the discriminant b² − 4ac tells you how many real roots there are, and the formula finds them without guessing.

ନିଜେ ଚେଷ୍ଟାକରନ୍ତୁ

Parts of this page are adapted from OpenStax Contemporary Mathematics (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). Condensed and re-explained here; errors are ours.

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