A proportion is an equation that sets two ratios equal to each other. The extremes (first and last terms) of a proportion are equal to the product of the means (middle terms). For example, if a/b = c/d, then a*d = b*c. Proportions can be used to solve scale drawings and models where the scale gives the ratio between actual dimensions and those depicted. Setting up and solving proportions allows finding unknown values when a scale and one actual or depicted measurement are given.