Ratio and Proportion Examples With

Answers

We may have mastered comparing objects descriptively, but how do we

mathematically compare objects?

The answer is through ratio.

The ratio is the mathematical tool we use to compare quantities using division.
The concept of ratios leads to the concept of proportions, which has a lot of
applications in our daily lives. For example, when we convert currencies,
estimate the volume of gasoline required for a car to cover a certain distance,
calculate the cost of items bought, and so on.

This article features ratio and proportion examples with answers to help you
effectively learn these concepts and how to apply them in your daily life.

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Table of Contents
Ratio
Ratio as a Fraction
Using Ratio to Compare a Part to a Whole
Proportion
How to Know if Two Ratios Are Proportional
Parts of a Proportion: Extremes and Means
Properties of Proportion
Property #1: The Product of the Means Is Equal to the Product of the
Extremes
Property #2: The Reciprocals of the Ratios in a Proportion Are Equal
Property #3: Switching the Means or the Extremes in a Proportion Will Result
in a Proportion
How To Solve Problems Involving Ratio and Proportion
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Ratio
A ratio shows how an object’s quantity is related to another object’s
quantity. For example, if there are 15 male and 23 female students in a
classroom, we can compare these quantities using a ratio, particularly 15 : 23.
We usually write it in the format below to express two quantities being
compared as a ratio. Note that we use a colon (:) to express a ratio.

<first number> : <second number>

Example: Aling Bela has 4 chickens and 8 pigs on her small farm. What is the
ratio of her chickens to her pigs?

Solution: We can express the ratio of chickens to pigs that Aling Bela owns
as 4 : 8

Ratio as a Fraction

We can write a ratio into its equivalent fractional form. We write the first
number as the numerator, then the second as the denominator.

For instance, using our example above about Aling Nena’s chickens and pigs,
we can express the ratio of her chickens to her pigs (i.e., 4 : 8) as 4⁄8.

Example 1: For every 4 burgers you buy, you must pay ₱128. What is the
ratio of the number of burgers bought to the price you must pay? Express the
ratio in fractional form.
Solution: We can express the ratio of the number of burgers bought to the
price you must pay as 4 : 128. In fractional form, we can write this as 4⁄128.

Example 2: There are 15 science teachers in a public high school. In that

same high school, there were 10 math teachers. What is the ratio of science
teachers to math teachers in that public high school? Express the ratio in
fractional form.

Solution: We can express the ratio of science teachers to math teachers in

that public high school as 15 : 10. In fractional form, we write it as 15⁄10.

Using Ratio to Compare a Part to a Whole

We have already defined what ratios are. However, the ratios that we tackled
in our previous sections pertain to comparing an object’s quantity to a different
object’s.

This time, let us use the ratio to compare a part of a whole to the whole itself.

Suppose you and your friends bought a pizza and sliced it into 8 equal parts.
Suppose that you’re able to take 2 slices from it. What is the ratio of the slices
of pizza you have (a portion of the whole pizza) to the total number of slices
(the whole pizza)?

The given situation above might ring a bell to you. Yes, we can use fractions
to show that comparison. In particular, fraction 2⁄8 can be expressed as 2 : 8.
This means that to use the ratio to compare a part of a whole to the whole
itself, we can use this format:

<portion of the whole> : <total number portions of the whole>

Example: In a classroom, 15 students are male while 20 are female. What is

the ratio of female students to the total number of students in the classroom?

Solution: There are 20 female students in the classroom. Meanwhile, the total
number of students in the classroom is the sum of the number of male
students and the number of female students. There are 15 + 20 = 35 students
in that classroom.

Therefore, the ratio of female students to the total number of students in that
classroom can be expressed as 20 : 35

Proportion
A proportion indicates that the two ratios are equal. In other words,
proportions are equivalent ratios. Hence, if we say that ratios are
proportional, we mean that those ratios are equal in value.

Let’s say we have two ratios, 1 : 2 and 2 : 4. We illustrate these ratios as

shown below:

It’s seen that the ratios represent the same parts. It implies that these ratios
are equivalent.

Hence, 1 : 2 = 2 : 4 is a proportion.

You might have realized that proportions are similar to the concept
of equivalent fractions. Indeed, proportions indicate equivalent fractions since
we can write ratios in fractional form.
How to Know if Two Ratios Are Proportional

Two ratios are proportional if they are equal. One way to determine if two
ratios are equal is by converting them into fractional form and using the cross-
multiplication method we discussed in the Fractions and Decimals review.

For instance, let us use the cross-multiplication method to determine if 1 : 2 =

2 : 4 is proportional.
Since the products are equal (both equal to 4), the ratios are equal. Hence,
the ratios are proportional.

Moreover, you might also notice that if we multiply the numbers in a ratio, we
can obtain another ratio that is proportional to that ratio.

For example, if we multiply each number in 5 : 2 by the same number, let’s

say 2, we have 10 : 4. Using the cross-multiplication method, you can verify
that 5 : 2 = 10 : 4

Example: Give a ratio that is equivalent or proportional to 2 : 9

Solution: We can determine a ratio equivalent to or proportional to 2 : 9 by

multiplying each number in 2 : 9 by the same number.

Let us try to multiply the numbers in 2 : 9 by 5.

(2 x 5) : (9 x 5) = 10 : 45

Hence, 2 : 9 = 10 : 45.

Note: The number you can use to find a proportional ratio to 2 : 9 is arbitrary.
If we multiply the numbers in 2 : 9 by the same number, we will come up with
a ratio that is proportional to 2 : 9. In this example, I just arbitrarily used 5. You
may use any number and multiply it by the numbers in 2 : 9, and you will
come up with a ratio that is proportional to it. For example, I can multiply the
numbers of 2 : 9 by 7 and obtain 14 : 63. 14 : 63 is also proportional to 2 : 9

Parts of a Proportion: Extremes and Means

Suppose a proportion a : b = c : d where a, b, c, and d represent real

numbers.

The proportion’s first and last terms (i.e., a and d) are called
the extremes. Meanwhile, the second and third terms (i.e., b and c) are called
the means.
Example: Determine the extremes and the means of the proportion 5 : 10 =
20 : 40

Solution: The extremes are the first and last terms of the proportion, which
are 5 and 40, respectively. Meanwhile, the means are the second and third
terms of the proportion, which are 10 and 20, respectively.

Properties of Proportion

Using the fact that proportions are equivalent ratios, we can mathematically
derive their properties. These properties are beneficial when solving problems
involving ratios and proportions.

Here are the properties of proportion:

Property #1: The Product of the Means Is Equal to the Product of the Extremes

For every proportion a : b = c : d, then a x d = b x c

This property tells us that we will obtain the same number if we multiply the
means and the extremes of a proportion.

For example, suppose the proportion 4 : 3 = 12 : 9.

If we multiply the means: 3 x 12 = 36

If we multiply the extremes: 4 x 9 = 36

Note that the products of the means and the extremes equal 36.

Example 1: What must be N so that N : 8 = 2 : 16 is a proportion?

Solution: Let us use the fact that the product of the means of a proportion
equals the product of the extremes.

Multiplying the means, we have: 8 x 2 = 16

Multiplying the extremes, we have 16 x N

Now, by the first property, 16 x N = 16. What must be multiplied by 16 so that

it will be 16? That number should be 1.

Hence, N = 1.

Therefore, the proportion should be 1 : 8 = 2 : 16.

Example 2: Four kilos of chicken cost ₱640. How many kilos of chicken can
you buy with ₱3200?

Solution: The ratio of the kilos of chicken that can be bought to the cost is 4 :
640. Now, let’s use N to represent the number of kilos of chicken that can be
bought with ₱3200. Thus, we have the ratio N : 3200.

4 : 640 = N : 3200

Let us apply that the product of the means is equal to the product of extremes
so we can determine N.

Multiplying the means of the ratio: 640 x N

Multiplying the extremes of the ratio: 4 x 3200 = 12800

Since the product of the means is equal to the product of the extremes:

640 x N = 12800

What must be multiplied by 640 to obtain 12800? We determine that number

by dividing 12800 by 640.

N = 12800 ÷ 640 = 20

Therefore, you can buy 20 kilos of chicken for ₱3200.

Property #2: The Reciprocals of the Ratios in a Proportion Are Equal

Recall that the reciprocal of a fraction is its multiplicative inverse or simply the
same fraction but with the positions of the numerator and the denominator
reversed.

For example, the reciprocal of ⅖ is 5⁄2.

Given a proportion, say a : b = c : d, we can express it in fractional form as a⁄b

= c⁄d

If we get the reciprocal of both fractions in a⁄b = c⁄d, we have:

b⁄a = d⁄c
We can express b⁄a = d⁄c in ratio as b : a = d : c

This property states that if we take the reciprocal of each ratio in proportion,
the ratios are still proportional. In symbols:

a:b=c:d→b:a=d:c

Example: If 5 : 4 = 35 : 28, what should be N so that 4 : 5 = 28 : N

Solution: Since the ratios in the proportion are reciprocated, we can use the
second property of proportions. Using the second property, N = 35.

Property #3: Switching the Means or the Extremes in a Proportion Will Result in a
Proportion

Suppose the proportion 1 : 7 = 3 : 21. If we try to switch the positions of the

means of this proportion, we have 1 : 3 = 7 : 21. You can verify using cross-
multiplication that 1 : 3 = 7 : 21 is true (that is, 1 : 3 and 7 : 21 are equivalent
ratios or proportional).

Now, let us try switching the extremes of 1 : 7 = 3 : 21. We obtain 21 : 7 = 3 :

1. Again, you can verify using cross-multiplication that 21 : 7 = 3 : 1 is true.

Hence, for every proportion a : b = c : d, switching the means or the extremes

will still result in a proportion.

a : b = c : d → a : c = b : d and d : b = c : a

Example: When A is divided by 5, the result will equal the result when you
divide B by 2. What is the result if you divide A by B?

Solution: The problem sounds tricky since we have no idea what the values
of A and B are. However, we can determine the result by dividing A by B using
the third property of proportion.

A divided by five can be written as A⁄5, which can then be expressed into a
ratio of A : 5.

Meanwhile, B divided by 2 can be written as B⁄2, which can then be expressed

into a ratio of B : 2.

Since the problem states that if A is divided by 5, the result will be equal to the
result if B is divided by 2, then
 A:5=B:2

We want to know what will be the result when we divide A by B or A⁄B or, as a
ratio, A : B

So, from A : 5 = B : 2, how can we obtain A : B?

We can apply the property that if we switch the means of a proportion, the
result is still a proportion.

Let us now switch the means of A : 5 = B : 2

We obtain A : B = 5 : 2. Expressing into a fractional form:

A⁄B = 5⁄2

Therefore, if A is divided by B, the result is 5⁄2 or 2.5.

How To Solve Problems Involving Ratio and

Proportion
In this section, let us try to solve some real-life word problems that can be
solved using the concepts of ratio and proportion.

Problem 1: Suppose that on a specific date, 1 US dollar equals ₱50. How

many US dollars is equivalent to ₱650?

Solution: The ratio of US dollars to the Philippine Peso can be expressed as

1 : 50. Let N be the number of dollars we can obtain from ₱650.

Hence, we have this proportion: 1 : 50 = N : 650

The product of the means is equal to the product of extremes. Thus:

What must be multiplied by 50 to obtain 650?

N = 650 ÷ 50 = 13

Therefore, ₱650 is equal to 13 US dollars.

Problem 2 : Leonor loves animals. He has a lot of dogs and cats in his
house. The ratio of dogs to his cats is 1 : 3. The total number of dogs and cats
is 8. How many cats does Leonor own?
Solution: The ratio of dogs to cats is 1 : 3. This doesn’t mean Leonor has 1
dog and 3 cats. 1 : 3 is just a ratio used to compare the number of dogs to
cats. To find Leonor’s actual number of dogs and cats, we need to find two
numbers with a sum of 8 that, when expressed as a ratio, will be proportional
to 1 : 3.

Recall that we can obtain a ratio proportional to 1 : 3 if we multiply 1 and 3 by

the same number.

Let us multiply the parts of the ratio with a number a.

(1 x a) : (3 x a)

This means that we have two numbers, 1 x a and 3 x a. 1x a represents the

total number of dogs Leonor has, while 3 x a represents the total number of
cats Leonor has.

Since the total number of dogs and cats that Leonor has is 8:

(1 x a) + (3 x a) = 8

We can simplify the expression above as:

(4 x a) = 8

What must be multiplied by 4 to obtain 8? Simple, that number must be 2.

Hence, a = 2.

Recall that 1 x a represents the number of dogs Leonor has; since we have
computed that a = 2, Leonor has 1 x (2) = 2 dogs.

We are doing the same thing to find Leonor’s number of cats: 3 x (2) = 6.

Therefore, Leonor has six cats.