Ratio & Proportion

RATIO
A ratio is simply a fraction. The following notations all express the ratio of x to y: x: y , x ÷ y , or
x
. Writing two numbers as a ratio provides a convenient way to compare their sizes. For
y
3
example, since < 1, we know that 3 is less than π. A ratio compares two numbers. Just as you
π
cannot compare apples and oranges, so to must the numbers you are comparing have the same
units. For example, you cannot form the ratio of 2 feet to 4 yards because the two numbers are
expressed in different units—feet vs. yards. It is quite common for the GMAT to ask for the ratio
of two numbers with different units. Before you form any ratio, make sure the two numbers are
expressed in the same units.

Example 1: What is the ratio of 2 feet to 4 yards?

(A) 1: 9 (B) 1: 8 (C) 1:7 (D) 1: 6 (E) 1: 5

The ratio cannot be formed until the numbers are expressed in the same units. Let’s turn the
yards into feet. Since there are 3 feet in a yard, 4 yards = 4 × 3 feet = 12 feet . Forming the ratio
yields

2 feet 1
= or 1:6
12 feet 6

The answer is (D).

3 4
Note, taking the reciprocal of a fraction usually changes its size. For example, ≠ . So order is
4 3
important in a ratio: 3: 4 ≠ 4:3.

PROPORTION
A proportion is simply an equality between two ratios (fractions). For example, the ratio of x to y
is equal to the ratio of 3 to 2 is translated as
x 3
=
y 2
or in ratio notation,
x : y::3:2

96
 Ratio & Proportion 97

Two variables are directly proportional if one is a constant multiple of the other:

y = kx

where k is a constant.

The above equation shows that as x increases (or decreases) so does y. This simple concept has
numerous applications in mathematics. For example, in constant velocity problems, distance is
directly proportional to time: d = vt, where v is a constant. Note, sometimes the word directly is
suppressed.

Example 2: If the ratio of y to x is equal to 3 and the sum of y and x is 80, what is the value of y?
(A) –10 (B) –2 (C) 5 (D) 20 (E) 60

Translating “the ratio of y to x is equal to 3” into an equation yields

y
=3
x

Translating “the sum of y and x is 80” into an equation yields

y + x = 80

Solving the first equation for y gives y = 3x. Substituting this into the second equation yields

3x + x = 80
4x = 80
x = 20

Hence, y = 3x = 3(20) = 60. The answer is (E).

In many word problems, as one quantity increases (decreases), another quantity also increases
(decreases). This type of problem can be solved by setting up a direct proportion.

Example 3: If Biff can shape 3 surfboards in 50 minutes, how many surfboards can he shape in
5 hours?
(A) 16 (B) 17 (C) 18 (D) 19 (E) 20

As time increases so does the number of shaped surfboards. Hence, we set up a direct
proportion. First, convert 5 hours into minutes: 5 hours = 5 × 60 minutes = 300 minutes . Next, let x
be the number of surfboards shaped in 5 hours. Finally, forming the proportion yields

3 x
=
50 300

3 ⋅ 300
=x
50

18 =x

The answer is (C).

98 GMAT Prep Course

Example 4: On a map, 1 inch represents 150 miles. What is the actual distance between two
1
cities if they are 3 inches apart on the map?
2
(A) 225 (B) 300 (C) 450 (D) 525 (E) 600

As the distance on the map increases so does the actual distance. Hence, we set up a direct
proportion. Let x be the actual distance between the cities. Forming the proportion yields

1in 3 1 2 in
=
150 mi x mi

x = 3 1 2 × 150

x = 525

The answer is (D).

Note, you need not worry about how you form the direct proportion so long as the order is the
same on both sides of the equal sign. The proportion in Example 4 could have been written as
1in 150 mi
= . In this case, the order is inches to inches and miles to miles. However, the
1
3 2 in x mi
following is not a direct proportion because the order is not the same on both sides of the equal
1in x mi
sign: = . In this case, the order is inches to miles on the left side of the equal sign
150 mi 3 1 2 in
but miles to inches on the right side.

If one quantity increases (or decreases) while another quantity decreases (or increases), the
quantities are said to be inversely proportional. The statement “y is inversely proportional to x” is
written as

k
y=
x

where k is a constant.

k
Multiplying both sides of y = by x yields
x

yx = k

Hence, in an inverse proportion, the product of the two quantities is constant. Therefore, instead
of setting ratios equal, we set products equal.

In many word problems, as one quantity increases (decreases), another quantity decreases
(increases). This type of problem can be solved by setting up a product of terms.
 Ratio & Proportion 99

Example 5: If 7 workers can assemble a car in 8 hours, how long would it take 12 workers to
assemble the same car?

(A) 3hrs (B) 3 1 2 hrs (C) 4 2 3 hrs (D) 5 hrs (E) 6 1 3 hrs

As the number of workers increases, the amount time required to assemble the car decreases.
Hence, we set the products of the terms equal. Let x be the time it takes the 12 workers to
assemble the car. Forming the equation yields

7 ⋅ 8 = 12 ⋅ x

56
=x
12

423 = x

The answer is (C).

To summarize: if one quantity increases (decreases) as another quantity also increases

(decreases), set ratios equal. If one quantity increases (decreases) as another quantity decreases
(increases), set products equal.

The concept of proportion can be generalized to three or more ratios. A, B, and C are in the ratio
A 3 A 3 B 4
3:4:5 means = , = , and = .
B 4 C 5 C 5

Example 6: In the figure to the right, the angles A, B, C B

of the triangle are in the ratio 5:12:13.
What is the measure of angle A?
(A) 15 A C
(B) 27
(C) 30
(D) 34
(E) 40

Since the angle sum of a triangle is 180°, A + B + C = 180. Forming two of the ratios yields
A 5 A 5
= =
B 12 C 13
12
Solving the first equation for B yields B= A
5
13
Solving the second equation for C yields C= A
5
12 13
Hence, 180 = A + B + C = A + A+ A = 6 A . Therefore, 180 = 6A, or A = 30. The answer is (C).
5 5
100 GMAT Prep Course

Problem Set N: Solutions begin on page 229.

1. What is the ratio of 2 ft. 3 in. to 2 yds?

1 1 3 1 3
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
4 3 8 2 4

2. The ratio of two numbers is 10 and their difference is 18. What is the value of the smaller
number?
(A) 2 (B) 5 (C) 10 (D) 21 (E) 27

3. If the degree measures of two angles of an isosceles triangle are in the ratio 1:3, what is the
degree measure of the largest angle if it is not a base angle?
(A) 26° (B) 36° (C) 51° (D) 92° (E) 108°

4. A jet uses 80 gallons of fuel to fly 320 miles. At this rate, how many gallons of fuel are
needed for a 700 mile flight?
(A) 150 (B) 155 (C) 160 (D) 170 (E) 175

5. Two boys can mow a lawn in 2 hours and 30 minutes If they are joined by three other boys,
how many hours will it take to mow the lawn?

(A) 1 hr. (B) 1 1 4 hrs. (C) 1 1 2 hrs. (D) 1 3 4 hrs. (E) 2 hrs.

1
6. A recipe requires lb. of shortening and 14 oz. of flour. If the chef accidentally pours in
2
21 oz. of flour, how many ounces of shortening should be added?
(A) 9 (B) 10 (C) 11 (D) 12 (E) 13

7. If w widgets cost d dollars, then at this rate how many dollars will 2000 widgets cost?
wd 2000w 2000d d 2000
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
2000 d w 2000w wd

x + 2y − z = 1
8. In the system of equations to the right, z ≠ 0. What is ratio of x to z?
3x − 2y − 8z = −1
9 1 1 4 9
(A) − (B) − (C) (D) (E)
4 3 3 9 4

9. If a sprinter takes 30 steps in 9 seconds, how many steps does he take in 54 seconds?
(A) 130 (B) 170 (C) 173 (D) 180 (E) 200

10. If 5x = 6y, then the ratio of x to y is

(A) 5:11 (B) 5:6 (C) 1:1 (D) 6: 5 (E) 11:6