Understanding Proportion
Ratio
 A ratio is the comparison of two numbers
by division.
 A classroom has 16 boys and 12 girls.
 Also written as 16 boys, 16:12 or 16 to 12
12 girls
 Generally, ratios are in lowest terms:
16 = 16/4 = 4
12 12/4 3
Ratio, continued
Ratios can compare two unlike things:
Joe earned $40 in five hours
The ratio is 40 dollars or 8 dollars
5 hours 1 hour
When the denominator is one, this is called
a unit rate.
Ratio, continued
Let’s look at a classroom:
Ratios can be part-to-part
16 boys
15 girls
Ratios can be part-to-whole
16 boys
31 students
Ratio, continued
If a ratio is part-to-whole, you can divide
and find a decimal or a percent.
16 boys
31 students
31/16.00 = .516, or 51.6% are boys
Proportion
 Proportion is a statement that says two ratios
are equal.
 In an election, Damon got three votes for each two
votes that Shannon got. Damon got 72 votes. How
many votes did Shannon get?
 Damon 3 = 72 so 3 x 24 = 72
Shannon 2 n 2 x 24 48
n = 48, so Shannon got 48 votes.
Proportion, continued
Tires cost two for $75. How much will
four tires cost?
# of tires 2 = 4 so 2 x 2 = 4 tires
cost 75 n 75 x 2 $150
n = 150, so four tires cost $150
Proportion, continued
One more way to solve proportions:
2 = 6 2 x n = 6 x 8 2n = 48
8 n 2 2
n = 24
Proportion, continued
Now you try!
Three cans of soup costs $5. How much
will 12 cans cost?
# of cans 3 = 12 3 x 4 = 12 cans
cost 5 n 5 x 4 20 dollars
n = 20, so 12 cans cost $20
Proportion, continued
Now you try!
Three cans of soup costs $5. How much
will 12 cans cost?
# of cans 3 = 12 3 x 4 = 12 cans
cost 5 n 5 x 4 20 dollars
n = 20, so 12 cans cost $20

Understanding proportion

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Ratio  A ratiois the comparison of two numbers by division.  A classroom has 16 boys and 12 girls.  Also written as 16 boys, 16:12 or 16 to 12 12 girls  Generally, ratios are in lowest terms: 16 = 16/4 = 4 12 12/4 3
  • 3.
    Ratio, continued Ratios cancompare two unlike things: Joe earned $40 in five hours The ratio is 40 dollars or 8 dollars 5 hours 1 hour When the denominator is one, this is called a unit rate.
  • 4.
    Ratio, continued Let’s lookat a classroom: Ratios can be part-to-part 16 boys 15 girls Ratios can be part-to-whole 16 boys 31 students
  • 5.
    Ratio, continued If aratio is part-to-whole, you can divide and find a decimal or a percent. 16 boys 31 students 31/16.00 = .516, or 51.6% are boys
  • 6.
    Proportion  Proportion isa statement that says two ratios are equal.  In an election, Damon got three votes for each two votes that Shannon got. Damon got 72 votes. How many votes did Shannon get?  Damon 3 = 72 so 3 x 24 = 72 Shannon 2 n 2 x 24 48 n = 48, so Shannon got 48 votes.
  • 7.
    Proportion, continued Tires costtwo for $75. How much will four tires cost? # of tires 2 = 4 so 2 x 2 = 4 tires cost 75 n 75 x 2 $150 n = 150, so four tires cost $150
  • 8.
    Proportion, continued One moreway to solve proportions: 2 = 6 2 x n = 6 x 8 2n = 48 8 n 2 2 n = 24
  • 9.
    Proportion, continued Now youtry! Three cans of soup costs $5. How much will 12 cans cost? # of cans 3 = 12 3 x 4 = 12 cans cost 5 n 5 x 4 20 dollars n = 20, so 12 cans cost $20
  • 10.
    Proportion, continued Now youtry! Three cans of soup costs $5. How much will 12 cans cost? # of cans 3 = 12 3 x 4 = 12 cans cost 5 n 5 x 4 20 dollars n = 20, so 12 cans cost $20