Revision Notes on Ratio and Proportion

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Ratio

If we compare two quantities using division then it is called ratio. It compares quantities in
terms of ‘How many times’. The symbol to represent ratio is “:”.

It reads as “4 is to 3”

It can also be written as 4/3.

Example

If there are 35 boys and 25 girls in a class, then what is the ratio of

Number of boys to total students

Number of girls to total students.

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Solution

In the ratio, we want the total number of students.

Total number of students = Number of boys + Number of girls

35 + 25 = 60

Ratio of number of boys to total number of students

The ratio of the number of girls to the total number of students

The unit must be same to compare two quantities

If we have to compare two quantities with different units then we need to convert them in the
same unit .then only they can be compared using ratio.

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Example

What is the ratio of the height of Raman and Radha if the height of Raman is 175 cm and
Radha is 1.35 m?

Solution

The unit of the height of Raman and Radha is not same so convert them in the same unit.

Height of Radha is 1.35 m = 1.35 × 100 cm = 135 cm

The ratio of the height of Raman and Radha

Equivalent Ratios

If we multiply or divide both the numerator and denominator by the same number then we get
the equivalent ratio. There could be so many equivalent ratios of the same ratio.

In the case of equivalent ratios only their value changes but they represent the same portion
of the quantity.

Example

Find two equivalent ratios of 2/4.

Solution

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To get the equivalent ratio we multiply both the numerator and denominator with 2.

To get another equivalent ratio we divide both the numerator and denominator with 2.

From the above figure, we can see that in all the equivalent ratios only the
number of equal parts is changing but all the ratios are representing the half part of the circle
only.

The Lowest form of the Ratio

If there is no common factor of numerator and denominator except one then it is the lowest
form of the ratio.

Example

Find the lowest form of the ratio 25: 100.

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Solution

The common factor of 25 and 100 is 25, so divide both the numerator and denominator with
25.

Hence the lowest ratio of 25: 100 is 1: 4.

Proportion

If we say that two ratios are equal then it is called Proportion.

We write it as a: b : : c: d or a: b = c: d

And reads as “a is to b as c is to d”.

Example

If a man runs at a speed of 20 km in 2 hours then with the same speed would he be able to
cross 40 km in 4 hours?

Solution

Here the ratio of the distances given is 20/40 = 1/2 = 1: 2

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And the ratio of the time taken by them is also 2/4 = 1/2 = 1: 2

Hence the four numbers are in proportion.

We can write them in proportion as 20: 40 : : 2: 4

And reads as “20 is to 40 as 2 is to 4”.

Extreme Terms and Middle Terms of Proportion

The first and the fourth term in the proportion are called extreme terms and the second and
third terms are called the Middle or the Mean Terms.

In this statement of proportion, the four terms which we have written in order are called the
Respective Terms.

If the two ratios are not equal then these are not in proportion.

Example 1
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Check whether the terms 30,99,20,66 are in proportion or not.

Solution 1.1

To check the numbers are in proportion or not we have to equate the ratios.

As both the ratios are equal so the four terms are in proportion.

30: 99 :: 20: 66

Solution 1.2

We can check with the product of extremes and the product of means.

In the respective terms 30, 99, 20, 66

30 and 66 are the extremes.

99 and 20 are the means.

To be in proportion the product of extremes must be equal to the product of means.

30 × 66 = 1980

99 × 20 = 1980

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The product of extremes = product of means

Hence, these terms are in proportion.

Example 2

Find the ratio 30 cm to 4 m is proportion to 25 cm to 5 m or not.

Solution 2

As the unit is different so we have to convert them into the same unit.

4 m = 4 × 100 cm = 400 cm

The ratio of 30 cm to 400 cm is

5 m = 5 × 100 cm = 500 cm

Ratio of 25 cm to 500 cm is

Here the two ratios are not equal so these ratios are not in proportion.

3: 40 ≠ 1: 20

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Unitary Method

If we find the value of one unit then calculate the value of the required number of units then
this method is called the Unitary method.

Example 1

If the cost of 3 books is 320 Rs. then what will be the cost of 6 books?

Solution 1

Cost of 3 books = Rs. 320

Cost of 1 book = 320/3 Rs.

Cost of 6 books = (320/3) × 6 = 640 Rs.

Hence, the cost of 6 books is Rs. 640.

Example 2

If the cost of 20 toys is Rs. 4000 then how many toys can be purchased for Rs. 6000?

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Solution 2

In Rs. 4000, the number of toys can be purchased = 20

In Rs. 1, the number of toys can be purchased = Rs. 20/4000

Therefore, in Rs. 6000, the number of toys can be purchased = (20/4000) × 6000 = 30

Hence, 30 toys can be purchased by Rs. 6000.

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