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Ratio And Proportion

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Notes

Introduction to Ratios

  • A **ratio** compares one part of a whole to another part, using a colon (e.g., 2 : 5).
  • The order matters: the first quantity mentioned corresponds to the first number in the ratio.
  • The total number of parts is the sum of all numbers in the ratio (e.g., 4 : 3 gives 7 parts).
  • Ratios are different from fractions: a fraction compares a part to the whole, while a ratio compares parts to each other.
  • Example: A pizza shared 5 slices to 3 slices gives ratio 5 : 3; fractions are 58\frac{5}{8} and 3/8.

Equivalent & Simplified Ratios

  • **Equivalent ratios** represent the same proportion; multiply or divide all parts by the same number.
  • Example: 3 : 2 is equivalent to 300 : 200 (multiply by 100).
  • To find an equivalent ratio when one part is known, divide the known value by its ratio part to find the multiplier.
  • **Simplifying** a ratio means dividing all parts by a common factor (preferably the HCF).
  • Example: 30 : 18 simplifies to 5 : 3 (divide by 6).
  • A ratio is in simplest form when all numbers are integers with no common factor greater than 1.

Sharing in a Ratio

  • To share an amount in a given ratio: add the parts to find total parts, divide the amount by total parts to find one part's value.
  • Multiply one part's value by each ratio number to find each share.
  • Always check that the shares sum to the original amount.
  • Example: Share $200 in ratio 5 : 3 → 5+3=85+3=8 parts, $200÷8=$25 per part, so $125 and $75.

Problem Solving with Ratios

  • When given the **difference** between two quantities, find the difference in parts, then equate to the actual difference to find one part.
  • Example: Alfred eats 12 more than Bob in ratio 7:3 → 4 parts =12= 12, so 1 part = 3; Alfred gets 21, Bob gets 9.
  • When given **one quantity**, divide that quantity by its ratio number to find one part, then multiply for the other quantity.
  • To **combine two two-part ratios** into a three-part ratio, make the common quantity the same in both ratios.
  • Example: B:S=5:2B:S = 5:2 and S:W=6:7S:W = 6:7 → multiply first by 3 to get B:S=15:6B:S = 15:6, then combine to B:S:W=15:6:7B:S:W = 15:6:7.
  • Use ratios to find percentages: e.g., 15 out of 28 parts black ≈ 53.6%.

Direct Proportion

  • **Direct proportion**: as one quantity increases, the other increases by the same factor; the ratio is constant.
  • Solve by finding the factor (new÷old)(new \div old) and multiplying the other quantity by that factor.
  • **Unitary method**: find the value for 1 unit, then multiply to the required number of units.
  • Example: 8 boxes weigh 60 kg → 1 box=7.5box = 7.5 kg, so 7 boxes =52.5= 52.5 kg.
  • To find **best value**, calculate price per unit (e.g., per kg) and choose the lower unit price.

Inverse Proportion

  • **Inverse proportion**: as one quantity increases, the other decreases by the same factor.
  • Solve by finding the factor (new÷old)(new \div old) and dividing the other quantity by that factor.
  • Unitary method: find the value for 1 unit (e.g., time for 1 worker) then scale by dividing.
  • Example: 3 pumps fill in 12 hours → 1 pump takes 36 hours, so 9 pumps take 36÷9=436\div 9=4 hours.
  • Think about context: more workers → less time (inverse); more boxes → more weight (direct).

Ratio as parts of a whole

Ratio 3:2 (Total 5 parts)3 parts2 partsEach part = Total ÷ 5

Sharing in a ratio

Sharing $200 in ratio 5:3Total 8 parts = $2005 parts = $1253 parts = $75

Direct proportion example

Direct Proportion: Boxes & Weight2 boxes800 g4 boxes1600 g

Inverse proportion example

Inverse Proportion: Pumps & Time3 pumps12 hours9 pumps4 hours

Practice questions

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  1. 1.When full, a cruise ship carries 880 guests and 360 crew. Write the ratio guests : crew in its simplest form.

    Easy
    • A22 : 9
    • B88 : 36
    • C44 : 18
    • D11 : 9
  2. 2.A box contains 22 coloured pencils. 6 pencils are pink, 9 pencils are blue and 7 pencils are yellow. Write down the ratio pink pencils : not pink pencils in its simplest form.

    Easy
    • A6 : 16
    • B3 : 8
    • C6 : 22
    • D3 : 11
  3. 3.Maia shares $3000 between her three children. She gives the eldest child $1200, the second eldest child $1000 and the rest to the youngest child. Write this information as a ratio in its simplest form (eldest : second : youngest).

    Easy
    • A12 : 10 : 8
    • B6 : 5 : 4
    • C1200 : 1000 : 800
    • D3 : 2 : 1
  4. 4.Divide 120 in the ratio 1 : 2. What are the two numbers?

    Easy
    • A40 and 80
    • B30 and 90
    • C60 and 60
    • D20 and 100
  5. 5.Alan and Beth share $1190 in the ratio Alan : Beth =5= 5 : 2. How much does Alan receive?

    Easy
    • A$850
    • B$340
    • C$595
    • D$700
  6. 6.Alex and Chris share sweets in the ratio Alex : Chris =7= 7 : 3. Alex receives 20 more sweets than Chris. How many sweets does Chris receive?

    Medium
    • A15
    • B35
    • C20
    • D25
  7. 7.A car park has 880 parking spaces. The ratio of reserved spaces : not reserved spaces =1= 1 : 10. How many spaces are not reserved?

    Medium
    • A80
    • B800
    • C880
  8. 8.Jess and Adam share $420 in the ratio 5 : 1. How much does Jess receive?

    Medium
    • A$350
    • B$70
    • C$300
    • D$210

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