ENGINEERING DATA

ANALYSIS

Ratio, Proportion
And Variation
 Session Topics

 Ratio

 Proportion

 Variation
 Ratio
 The ratio of one number m to a second number n is
the quotient m/n
 The ratio is sometimes expressed as m:n
 A ratio is a fraction, and any fraction can be
described conversely as a ratio:
m:n =
 The ratio of two concrete quantities has meaning
only if they are of the same kind
 Ratio
To be useful, ratios are measured in terms of the same
dimension or units.

Examples:
1. A couple has two sons and three daughters. Then
the ratio of sons to daughters is 2 : 3. But the ratio
of sons to total children is 2 : 5
2. The ratio of 3 feet to 5 inches is 36/5 or 36:5 (1 foot
= 12 in)
 Ratio
Application
Find the ratio of 75 pounds to 160 ounces
Solution
1 pound = 16 ounces → 75 lbs = 1200 oz
1200 : 160 → 15 : 2 or 1200 / 160 = 15/2
Solve:
1. 27 days to 156 hours 2. 51 pints to 17 quarts
3. 25 miles to 3175 yards
 Proportions
 A statement that two ratios, or fractions, are equal
 The proportion a:b = m:n is read “a is to b as m is to
n”
 The four quantities a, b, m and n form a proportion
with the extremes a and n, and the means b and m
a:b = m:n ⟺
 Proportions

a:b = m:n ⟺
The product of the extremes equal the product of the
means, i.e., an = bm:
Solve: Find x if x : (25 – x) = 3 : 7
Solution:
7x = 3(25 – x) → 10x = 75 → x = 7.5
 Proportions
Example
Divide 50 into two parts with the ratio 3 : 7
Solution
Method 1: Let x and y be the parts → x + y = 50
x/y = 3/7 → 7x = 3y 7x = 3(50 – x) 10x = 150

Therefore: x = 15 and y = 35
Method 2: 3 + 7 = 10; (3/10)·50 = 15;
(7/10)•50 = 35
 Proportions
Practice Problems
1. Express as a fraction and simplify: (a) 14/3 : 7/4 (b) 5 ½ : 7⅓ (c) x3y4
: x5y3
2. Change to fraction and solve: (2 – x) : (3 + x) = (4 – x) : (2 + x)
3. A line 18 inches long is divided into two parts whose lengths have ratio 5 :
4. Find the lengths
4. The sides of a triangle are 12, 8 and 18 cms long. In a similar triangle, the
shortest side is 40 cms long. Find the other sides
5. Which is cheaper to buy: A 250 ml detergent costing ₱18 or an 800 ml
bottle costing ₱55?
 Variation
 Involves a set of related variables where one can be
expressed as a function of the others
 “Language of variation” describes some of the most
simple functions
 There are three types of variations
 Direct
 Inverse
 Joint
 Direct Variation
Let y be a function of x
 y is proportional to x
 y varies directly as x
 y is directly proportional to x
 y varies as x

In case there exists a constant k≠0 such that for every

value of x, the corresponding value of y is given by y =
kx, where k is called the constant of proportionality or
constant of variation.
 Direct Variation
Illustration
The circumference C of a circle varies directly as the
radius r, because C = 2pr, where the constant of
proportionality is 2p.

It is just important to remember to use the same

dimensional units when expressing the relationship
between the two variables
 Inverse Variation
Let y be a function of x
 Y varies inversely as x
 Y is inversely proportional to x

 We can find a constant k ≠ 0 such that for every value

of x, the corresponding value of y is given by y = k/x
 From y = k/x, we obtain xy = k, or the product of
corresponding values of x and y is a constant. If y
varies inversely as x, then likewise x varies inversely as
y
 Inverse Variation
Illustration
The time t necessary for a train to go a given distance s
varies inversely as the speed r of the train because t =
s/r. The constant of proportionality here is s.
Example: s = 120 kilometers. If r = 60, t = 2. But if r =
40, t = 3. Note that as r ↑, t ↓

Speed, r 10 12 15 20 30 60
Time, t 12 10 8 6 4 2
 Joint Variation
Let z be a function of x and y
 Z varies jointly as x and y
 Z is directly proportional to x and y
 Z is proportional to x and y
 Z varies as x and y

If z is proportional to the product xy, then z = kxy,

where k ≠ 0 is the constant of proportionality
 Joint Variation
Illustration

 To say that z varies directly as x and y and inversely

with w3 means that z = kxy/w3

 If P = 10 x2y/z3, then P varies directly with x2 and y,

and inversely with z3
 Joint Variation
Exercise
If y is proportional to x and w2, y = 36 when x = 2 and
w = 3, find y when x = 3 and w = 4

Solution
Y = kw2x, where k is unknown. Substituting y=36, x=2,
w=3 → 36 = k(32)(2) → k = 2
⸫ y = 2w2x y = 2(4)2(3) = 96
 Joint Variation
The kinetic energy of a moving body is proportional to
the square of its speed. Find the ratio of the kinetic
energy of an automobile traveling at 50 kph to the
kinetic energy of the automobile traveling at 20 kph
Solution
Let E = energy, v = speed in kph, then E = kv2. Then
E1= k(20)2 = 400k; E2 = 2500k
E2/E1 = 2500k/400k = 6 ¼
 Practice Problems
1. Express as an equation
a. The volume of a sphere is proportional to the cube of its radius
b. W is inversely proportional to , and w = 10 if y = 9
2. If H is proportional to x and inversely proportional to ,
and if H = 4 when x = 3 and y = 8, find H if y = 27 and x
=5
3. The distance fallen by a body, starting from rest in a
vacuum near the earth’s surface, is proportional to the
square of the time occupied in falling. If a body falls 256
feet in four seconds, how far will it fall in 11 seconds?