3.3 Solve Proportions and their Applications

Pooja Gupta

3.3 Solve Proportions and their Applications

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Use the definition of proportion
Solve proportions
Solve applications using proportions
Write percent equations as proportions
Translate and solve percent proportions

Use the Definition of Proportion

When two ratios or rates are equal, the equation relating them is called a proportion.

Proportion

A proportion is an equation of the form $\dfrac{a}{b}=\dfrac{c}{d}$ , where $b\ne 0,d\ne 0$ .

The proportion states two ratios or rates are equal. The proportion is read ${\text{``}}a$ is to $b$ , as $c$ is to $d{\text{''.}}$

The equation $\dfrac{1}{2}=\dfrac{4}{8}$ is a proportion because the two fractions are equal. The proportion $\dfrac{1}{2}=\dfrac{4}{8}$ is read $\text{``}1$ is to $2$ as $4$ is to $8\text{''.}$

If we compare quantities with units, we have to be sure we are comparing them in the right order. For example, in the proportion $\dfrac{\text{20 students}}{\text{1 teacher}}=\dfrac{\text{60 students}}{\text{3 teachers}}$ we compare the number of students to the number of teachers. We put students in the numerators and teachers in the denominators.

EXAMPLE 1

Write each sentence as a proportion:

$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}3$ is to $7$ as $15$ is to $35$ .
$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}5$ hits in $8$ at bats is the same as $30$ hits in $48$ at-bats.
$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{\$1.50}$ for $6$ ounces is equivalent to $\text{\$2.25}$ for $9$ ounces.

Solution

a)	3 is to 7 as 15 is to 35.
Write as a proportion.	$\dfrac{3}{7}=\dfrac{15}{35}$

b)	5 hits in 8 at-bats is the same as 30 hits in 48 at-bats.
Write each fraction to compare hits to at-bats.	$\dfrac{\text{hits}}{\text{at-bats}}=\dfrac{\text{hits}}{\text{at-bats}}$
Write as a proportion.	$\dfrac{5}{8}=\dfrac{30}{48}$

c)	$1.50 for 6 ounces is equivalent to $2.25 for 9 ounces.
Write each fraction to compare dollars to ounces.	$\dfrac{?}{\text{ounces}}=\dfrac{?}{\text{ounces}}$
Write as a proportion.	$\dfrac{1.50}{6}=\dfrac{2.25}{9}$

TRY IT 1.1

Write each sentence as a proportion:

$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}5$ is to $9$ as $20$ is to $36$ .
$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}7$ hits in $11$ at-bats is the same as $28$ hits in $44$ at-bats.
$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{\$2.50}$ for $8$ ounces is equivalent to $\text{\$3.75}$ for $12$ ounces.

Answer

$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\frac{5}{9}=\frac{20}{36}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}$
$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\frac{7}{11}=\frac{28}{44}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}$
$\frac{2.50}{8}=\frac{3.75}{12}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}$

TRY IT 1.2

Write each sentence as a proportion:

1. $\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}6$ is to $7$ as $36$ is to $42$ .
2. $\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}8$ adults for $36$ children is the same as $12$ adults for $54$ children.

$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{\$3.75}$ for $6$ ounces is equivalent to $\text{\$2.50}$ for $4$ ounces.

Answer

$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\frac{6}{7}=\frac{36}{42}$
$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\frac{8}{36}=\frac{12}{54}$
$\frac{3.75}{6}=\frac{2.50}{4}$

Look at the proportions $\frac{1}{2}=\frac{4}{8}$ and $\frac{2}{3}=\frac{6}{9}$ . From our work with equivalent fractions we know these equations are true. But how do we know if an equation is a proportion with equivalent fractions if it contains fractions with larger numbers?

To determine if a proportion is true, we find the cross products of each proportion. To find the cross products, we multiply each denominator with the opposite numerator (diagonally across the equal sign). The results are called a cross products because of the cross formed. The cross products of a proportion are equal.

Cross Products of a Proportion

For any proportion of the form $\frac{a}{b}=\frac{c}{d}$ , where $b\ne 0,d\ne 0$ , its cross products are equal.

No Alt Text

Cross products can be used to test whether a proportion is true. To test whether an equation makes a proportion, we find the cross products. If they are the equal, we have a proportion.

EXAMPLE 2

Determine whether each equation is a proportion:

$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\frac{4}{9}=\frac{12}{28}$
$\frac{17.5}{37.5}=\frac{7}{15}$

Solution

To determine if the equation is a proportion, we find the cross products. If they are equal, the equation is a proportion.

a)

$\dfrac{4}{9}=\dfrac{12}{28}$

Find the cross products.

$28\cdot 4=112\phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}9\cdot 12=108$

Since the cross products are not equal, $28\cdot4\ne 9\cdot12$ , the equation is not a proportion.

b)

$\dfrac{17.5}{37.5}=\dfrac{7}{15}$

Find the cross products.

$15\cdot 17.5=262.5\phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}37.5\cdot 7=262.5$

Since the cross products are equal, $15\cdot17.5=37.5\cdot7$ , the equation is a proportion.

TRY IT 2.1

Determine whether each equation is a proportion:

$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\frac{7}{9}=\frac{54}{72}$
$\frac{24.5}{45.5}=\frac{7}{13}$

Answer

no
yes

TRY IT 2.2

Determine whether each equation is a proportion:

$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\frac{8}{9}=\frac{56}{73}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}$
$\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\frac{28.5}{52.5}=\frac{8}{15}$

Answer

no
no

Solve Proportions

To solve a proportion containing a variable, we remember that the proportion is an equation. All of the techniques we have used so far to solve equations still apply. In the next example, we will solve a proportion by multiplying by the Least Common Denominator (LCD) using the Multiplication Property of Equality.

EXAMPLE 3

Solve: $\frac{x}{63}=\frac{4}{7}$ .

Solution

Given fraction:	$\dfrac{x}{63}=\dfrac{4}{7}$
To isolate $x$ , multiply both sides by the LCD, 63.	${\color{red}63}\left(\dfrac{x}{63}\right)={\color{red}63}\left(\dfrac{4}{7}\right)$
Simplify.	$x=\dfrac{9 \cdot \not 7 \cdot 4}{\not 7}$
Divide the common factors.	$x=36$
Check: To check our answer, we substitute into the original proportion.	$\dfrac{x}{63}=\dfrac{4}{7}$
Substitute $x=\color{red}36$	$\dfrac{{\color{red}36}}{63} \stackrel{?}{=} \dfrac{4}{7}$
Show common factors.	$\dfrac{4 \cdot 9}{7 \cdot 9} \stackrel{?}{=} \dfrac{4}{7}$
Simplify.	$\dfrac{4}{7}=\dfrac{4}{7} \checkmark$

TRY IT 3.1

Solve the proportion: $\frac{n}{84}=\frac{11}{12}$ .

Answer

77

TRY IT 3.2

Solve the proportion: $\frac{y}{96}=\frac{13}{12}$ .

Answer

104

When the variable is in a denominator, we’ll use the fact that the cross products of a proportion are equal to solve the proportions.

We can find the cross products of the proportion and then set them equal. Then we solve the resulting equation using our familiar techniques.

EXAMPLE 4

Solve: $\frac{144}{a}=\frac{9}{4}$ .

Solution

Notice that the variable is in the denominator, so we will solve by finding the cross products and setting them equal.

Given fraction
Find the cross products and set them equal.	$4 \cdot 144 = a \cdot 9$
Simplify.	$576=9a$
Divide both sides by 9.	$\dfrac{576}{9}=\dfrac{9 a}{9}$
Simplify.	$64=a$
Check your answer:	$\dfrac{144}{a}=\dfrac{9}{4}$
Substitute $a = \color{red}64$	$\dfrac{144}{{\color{red}64}} \stackrel{?}{=} \dfrac{9}{4}$
Show common factors.	$\dfrac{9 \cdot 16}{4 \cdot 16} \stackrel{?}{=} \dfrac{9}{4}$
Simplify.	$\dfrac{9}{4}=\dfrac{9}{4} \checkmark$

Another method to solve this would be to multiply both sides by the LCD, $4a$ . Try it and verify that you get the same solution.

TRY IT 4.1

Solve the proportion: $\frac{91}{b}=\frac{7}{5}$ .

Answer

65

TRY IT 4.2

Solve the proportion: $\frac{39}{c}=\frac{13}{8}$ .

Answer

24

EXAMPLE 5

Solve: $\frac{52}{91}=\frac{-4}{y}$ .

Solution

Find the cross products and set them equal.	$y \cdot 52 = 91 \cdot (-4)$
Simplify.	$52y=-364$
Divide both sides by 52.	$\dfrac{52 y}{52}=\dfrac{-364}{52}$
Simplify.	$y=-7$
Check:	$\dfrac{52}{91} \stackrel{?}{=} \dfrac{-4}{y}$
Substitute $y = \color{red}−7$	$\dfrac{52}{91} \stackrel{?}{=} \dfrac{-4}{\color{red}-7}$
Show common factors.	$\dfrac{13 \cdot 4}{13 \cdot 7} \stackrel{?}{=} \dfrac{-4}{-7}$
Simplify.	$\dfrac{4}{7}=\dfrac{4}{7} \checkmark$

TRY IT 5.1

Solve the proportion: $\frac{84}{98}=\frac{-6}{x}$ .

Answer

−7

TRY IT 5.2

Solve the proportion: $\frac{-7}{y}=\frac{105}{135}$ .

Answer

−9

Solve Applications Using Proportions

The strategy for solving applications that we have used earlier in this chapter, also works for proportions, since proportions are equations. When we set up the proportion, we must make sure the units are correct—the units in the numerators match and the units in the denominators match.

EXAMPLE 6

When pediatricians prescribe acetaminophen to children, they prescribe $5$ millilitres (ml) of acetaminophen for every $25$ pounds of the child’s weight. If Zoe weighs $80$ pounds, how many millilitres of acetaminophen will her doctor prescribe?

Solution

Identify what you are asked to find.	How many ml of acetaminophen the doctor will prescribe
Choose a variable to represent it.	Let $a=$ ml of acetaminophen.
Write a sentence that gives the information to find it.	If 5 ml is prescribed for every 25 pounds, how much will be prescribed for 80 pounds?
Translate into a proportion.	$\dfrac{\text{ml}}{\text{pounds}}=\dfrac{\text{ml}}{\text{pounds}}$
Substitute given values—be careful of the units.	$\dfrac{5}{25}=\dfrac{a}{80}$
Multiply both sides by 80.	$80 \cdot \dfrac{5}{25}=80 \cdot \dfrac{a}{80}$
Multiply and show common factors.	$\dfrac{16 \cdot 5 \cdot 5}{5 \cdot 5}=\dfrac{80 a}{80}$
Simplify.	$16=a$
Check if the answer is reasonable.	Yes. Since 80 is about 3 times 25, the medicine should be about 3 times 5.
Write a complete sentence.	The pediatrician would prescribe 16 ml of acetaminophen to Zoe.

You could also solve this proportion by setting the cross products equal.

TRY IT 6.1

Pediatricians prescribe $5$ millilitre s (ml) of acetaminophen for every $25$ pounds of a child’s weight. How many millilitre s of acetaminophen will the doctor prescribe for Emilia, who weighs $60$ pounds?

Answer

12 ml

TRY IT 6.2

For every $1$ kilogram (kg) of a child’s weight, pediatricians prescribe $15$ milligrams (mg) of a fever reducer. If Isabella weighs $12$ kg, how many milligrams of the fever reducer will the pediatrician prescribe?

Answer

180 mg

EXAMPLE 7

One brand of microwave popcorn has $120$ calories per serving. A whole bag of this popcorn has $3.5$ servings. How many calories are in a whole bag of this microwave popcorn?

Solution

Identify what you are asked to find.	How many calories are in a whole bag of microwave popcorn?
Choose a variable to represent it.	Let $c=$ number of calories.
Write a sentence that gives the information to find it.	If there are 120 calories per serving, how many calories are in a whole bag with 3.5 servings?
Translate into a proportion.	$\dfrac{\text{calories}}{\text{serving}}=\dfrac{\text{calories}}{\text{serving}}$
Substitute given values.	$\dfrac{120}{1}=\dfrac{c}{3.5}$
Multiply both sides by $\color{red}3.5$ .	${\color{red}(3.5)}\dfrac{ 120}{1}={\color{red}(3.5)}\dfrac{c}{3.5}$
Simplify.	$420=c$
Check if the answer is reasonable.	Yes. Since 3.5 is between 3 and 4, the total calories should be between 360 (3⋅120) and 480 (4⋅120).
Write a complete sentence.	The whole bag of microwave popcorn has 420 calories.

TRY IT 7.1

Marissa loves the Caramel Macchiato at the coffee shop. The $16$ oz. medium size has $240$ calories. How many calories will she get if she drinks the large $20$ oz. size?

Answer

300

TRY IT 7.2

Yaneli loves Starburst candies, but wants to keep her snacks to $100$ calories. If the candies have $160$ calories for $8$ pieces, how many pieces can she have in her snack?

Answer

5

EXAMPLE 8

Josiah went to Mexico for spring break and changed $\text{\$325}$ dollars into Mexican pesos. At that time, the exchange rate had $\text{\$1}$ U.S. is equal to $12.54$ Mexican pesos. How many Mexican pesos did he get for his trip?

Solution

Identify what you are asked to find.	How many Mexican pesos did Josiah get?
Choose a variable to represent it.	Let $p=$ number of pesos.
Write a sentence that gives the information to find it.	If $1 U.S. is equal to 12.54 Mexican pesos, then $325 is how many pesos?
Translate into a proportion.	$\dfrac{\textdollar}{\text{pesos}}=\dfrac{\textdollar}{\text{pesos}}$
Substitute given values.	$\dfrac{1}{12.54}=\dfrac{325}{p}$
The variable is in the denominator, so find the cross products and set them equal.	$p \cdot 1=12.54(325)$
Simplify.	$c=4,075.50$
Check if the answer is reasonable.	Yes, $100 would be $1,254 pesos. $325 is a little more than 3 times this amount.
Write a complete sentence.	Josiah has 4075.50 pesos for his spring break trip.

TRY IT 8.1

Yurianna is going to Europe and wants to change $\text{\$800}$ dollars into Euros. At the current exchange rate, $\text{\$1}$ Canadian dollar is equal to $0.65$ Euro. How many Euros will she have for her trip?

Answer

520 Euros

TRY IT 8.2

Corey and Nicole are traveling to Japan and need to exchange CAD $\text{\$600}$ into Japanese yen. If each dollar is $90.27$ yen, how many yen will they get?

Answer

54,162 yen

Write Percent Equations As Proportions

Previously, we solved percent equations by applying the properties of equality we have used to solve equations throughout this text. Some people prefer to solve percent equations by using the proportion method. The proportion method for solving percent problems involves a percent proportion. A percent proportion is an equation where a percent is equal to an equivalent ratio.

For example, $\text{60\%}=\frac{60}{100}$ and we can simplify $\frac{60}{100}=\frac{3}{5}$ . Since the equation $\frac{60}{100}=\frac{3}{5}$ shows a percent equal to an equivalent ratio, we call it a percent proportion. Using the vocabulary we used earlier:

$\frac{\text{amount}}{\text{base}}=\frac{\text{percent}}{100}$

$\phantom{\rule{1.2em}{0ex}}\frac{3}{5}=\frac{60}{100}$

Percent Proportion

The amount is to the base as the percent is to $100$ .

$\dfrac{\text{amount}}{\text{base}}=\dfrac{\text{percent}}{100}$

If we restate the problem in the words of a proportion, it may be easier to set up the proportion:

$\mathit{\text{The amount is to the base as the percent is to one hundred.}}$

We could also say:

$\mathit{\text{The amount out of the base is the same as the percent out of one hundred.}}$

First we will practice translating into a percent proportion. Later, we’ll solve the proportion.

EXAMPLE 9

Translate to a proportion. What number is $\text{75\%}$ of $90?$

Solution

If you look for the word “of”, it may help you identify the base.

Identify the parts of the percent proportion.	${\underbrace{\text{What number }}_{\text{amount}}} \text{ is} {\underbrace{\text{75\%}}_{\text{percent}}} \text{\color{red}{ of }} {\underbrace{ 90?}_{\text{base}}}$
Restate as a proportion.	What number out $\textcolor{red}{\text{of}}$ 90 is the same as 75 out of 100?
Set up the proportion. Let $n=\text{number}$ .	$\dfrac{n}{90}=\dfrac{75}{100}$

TRY IT 9.1

Translate to a proportion: What number is $\text{60\%}$ of $105?$

Answer

$\frac{n}{105}=\frac{60}{100}$

TRY IT 9.2

Translate to a proportion: What number is $\text{40\%}$ of $85?$

Answer

$\frac{n}{85}=\frac{40}{100}$

EXAMPLE 10

Translate to a proportion. $19$ is $\text{25\%}$ of what number?

Solution

Identify the parts of the percent proportion.	${\underbrace{19}_{\text{amount}}} {\text{ is}} {\underbrace{25\%}_{\text{percent}}} {\color{red}{\text{ of }}} {\underbrace{\text{what number?}}_{\text{base}}}$
Restate as a proportion.	19 out $\color{red}\text{ of }}$ what number is the same as 25 out of 100?
Set up the proportion. Let $n=\text{number}$ .	$\dfrac{19}{n}=\dfrac{25}{100}$

TRY IT 10.1

Translate to a proportion: $36$ is $\text{25\%}$ of what number?

Answer

$\frac{36}{n}=\frac{25}{100}$

TRY IT 10.2

Translate to a proportion: $27$ is $\text{36\%}$ of what number?

Answer

$\frac{27}{n}=\frac{36}{100}$

EXAMPLE 11

Translate to a proportion. What percent of $27$ is $9?$

Solution

Identify the parts of the percent proportion.	${\underbrace{\text{What percent }}_{percent}} {\color{red}{\text{ of }}} {\underbrace{27}_{\text{base}}} \text{ is } {\underbrace{9?}_{\text{amount}}}$
Restate as a proportion.	9 out $\color{red}\text{ of }}$ 27 is the same as what number out of 100?
Set up the proportion. Let $p=\text{percent}$ .	$\dfrac{9}{27}=\dfrac{p}{100}$

TRY IT 11.1

Translate to a proportion: What percent of $52$ is $39?$

Answer

$\frac{n}{100}=\frac{39}{52}$

TRY IT 11.2

Translate to a proportion: What percent of $92$ is $23?$

Answer

$\frac{n}{100}=\frac{23}{92}$

Translate and Solve Percent Proportions

Now that we have written percent equations as proportions, we are ready to solve the equations.

EXAMPLE 12

Translate and solve using proportions: What number is $\text{45\%}$ of $80?$

Solution

Identify the parts of the percent proportion.	${\underbrace{\text{What number}}_{\text{amount}}} {\text{ is}} {\underbrace{45\%}_{\text{percent}}} {\color{red}\text{ of }} {\underbrace{80?}_{\text{base}}}$
Restate as a proportion.	What number out of 80 is the same as 45 out of 100?
Set up the proportion. Let $n=$ number.	$\dfrac{n}{80}=\dfrac{45}{100}$
Find the cross products and set them equal.	$100 \cdot n = 80 \cdot 45$
Simplify.	$100n=3,600$
Divide both sides by 100.	$\dfrac{100n}{100}=\dfrac{3,600}{100}$
Simplify.	$n=36$
Check if the answer is reasonable.	Yes. 45 is a little less than half of 100 and 36 is a little less than half 80.
Write a complete sentence that answers the question.	36 is 45% of 80.

TRY IT 12.1

Translate and solve using proportions: What number is $\text{65\%}$ of $40?$

Answer

26

TRY IT 12.2

Translate and solve using proportions: What number is $\text{85\%}$ of $40?$

Answer

34

In the next example, the percent is more than $100$ , which is more than one whole. So the unknown number will be more than the base.

EXAMPLE 13

Translate and solve using proportions: $\text{125\%}$ of $25$ is what number?

Solution

Identify the parts of the percent proportion.	$\underbrace{125 \%}_{\text {percent }} \text { is } \underbrace{25}_{\text {base }} \text { of } \underbrace{\text { what number }}_{\text {amount }} \text { ? }$
Restate as a proportion.	What number out of 25 is the same as 125 out of 100?
Set up the proportion. Let $n=$ number.	$\dfrac{n}{25}=\dfrac{125}{100}$
Find the cross products and set them equal.	$100 \cdot n=25 \cdot 125$
Simplify.	$100n = 3,125$
Divide both sides by 100.	$\dfrac{100 n}{100}=\dfrac{3,125}{100}$
Simplify.	$n=31.25$
Check if the answer is reasonable.	Yes. 125 is more than 100 and 31.25 is more than 25.
Write a complete sentence that answers the question.	125% of 25 is 31.25.

TRY IT 13.1

Translate and solve using proportions: $\text{125\%}$ of $64$ is what number?

Answer

80

TRY IT 13.2

Translate and solve using proportions: $\text{175\%}$ of $84$ is what number?

Answer

147

Percents with decimals and money are also used in proportions.

EXAMPLE 14

Translate and solve: $\text{6.5\%}$ of what number is $\text{\$1.56}?$

Solution

Identify the parts of the percent proportion.	${\underbrace{6.5 \%}_{\text{percent}}} {\color{red}\text{ of }} {\underbrace{\text{what number}}_{\text{base}}} \text{ is } {\underbrace{\textdollar 1.56?}_{\text{amount}}}$
Restate as a proportion.	$\$ 1.56$ out of what number is the same as $6.5$ out of $100?$
Set up the proportion. Let $n=$ number.	$\dfrac{1.56}{n}=\dfrac{6.5}{100}$
Find the cross products and set them equal.	$100(1.56)=n \cdot 6.5$
Simplify.	$156=6.5 n$
Divide both sides by 6.5 to isolate the variable.	$\dfrac{156}{6.5}=\dfrac{6.5 n}{6.5}$
Simplify.	$24=n$
Check if the answer is reasonable.	Yes. 6.5% is a small amount and $1.56 is much less than $24.
Write a complete sentence that answers the question.	6.5% of $24 is $1.56.

TRY IT 14.1

Translate and solve using proportions: $\text{8.5\%}$ of what number is $\text{\$3.23}?$

Answer

38

TRY IT 14.2

Translate and solve using proportions: $\text{7.25\%}$ of what number is $\text{\$4.64}?$

Answer

64

EXAMPLE 15

Translate and solve using proportions: What percent of $72$ is $9?$

Solution

Identify the parts of the percent proportion.	$\underbrace{\text{What percent}}_{\text{percent}} \text{\color{red}{of}} \underbrace{72}_{\text{base}} \text{is} \underbrace{9?}_{\text{amount}}$
Restate as a proportion.	9 out of 72 is the same as what number out of 100?
Set up the proportion. Let $n=$ number.	$\dfrac{9}{72}=\dfrac{n}{100}$
Find the cross products and set them equal.	$72 \cdot n=100 \cdot 9$
Simplify.	$72 n=900$
Divide both sides by 72.	$\dfrac{72 n}{72}=\dfrac{900}{72}$
Simplify.	$n=12.5$
Check if the answer is reasonable.	Yes. 9 is $\dfrac{1}{8}$ of 72 and $\dfrac{1}{8}$ is 12.5%.
Write a complete sentence that answers the question.	12.5% of 72 is 9.

TRY IT 15.1

Translate and solve using proportions: What percent of $72$ is $27?$

Answer

37.5%

TRY IT 15.2

Translate and solve using proportions: What percent of $92$ is $23?$

Answer

25%

Key Concepts

Proportion
- A proportion is an equation of the form $\frac{a}{b}=\frac{c}{d}$ , where $b\ne 0$ , $d\ne 0$ .The proportion states two ratios or rates are equal. The proportion is read “ $a$ is to $b$ , as $c$ is to $d$ ”.
Cross Products of a Proportion
- For any proportion of the form $\frac{a}{b}=\frac{c}{d}$ , where $b\ne 0$ , its cross products are equal: $a\cdot d=b\cdot c$ .
Percent Proportion
- The amount is to the base as the percent is to 100. $\frac{\text{amount}}{\text{base}}=\frac{\text{percent}}{100}$

Glossary

proportion: A proportion is an equation of the form $\frac{a}{b}=\frac{c}{d}$ , where $b\ne 0$ , $d\ne 0$ .The proportion states two ratios or rates are equal. The proportion is read “ $a$ is to $b$ , as $c$ is to $d$ ”.

Practice Makes Perfect

Use the Definition of Proportion

In the following exercises, write each sentence as a proportion.

1. $4$ is to $15$ as $36$ is to $135$ .	2. $7$ is to $9$ as $35$ is to $45$ .
3. $12$ is to $5$ as $96$ is to $40$ .	4. $15$ is to $8$ as $75$ is to $40$ .
5. $5$ wins in $7$ games is the same as $115$ wins in $161$ games.	6. $4$ wins in $9$ games is the same as $36$ wins in $81$ games.
7. $8$ campers to $1$ counsellor is the same as $48$ campers to $6$ counsellors.	8. $6$ campers to $1$ counselor is the same as $48$ campers to $8$ counselors.
9. $\text{\$9.36}$ for $18$ ounces is the same as $\text{\$2.60}$ for $5$ ounces.	10. $\text{\$3.92}$ for $8$ ounces is the same as $\text{\$1.47}$ for $3$ ounces.
11. $\text{\$18.04}$ for $11$ pounds is the same as $\text{\$4.92}$ for $3$ pounds.	12. $\text{\$12.42}$ for $27$ pounds is the same as $\text{\$5.52}$ for $12$ pounds.

In the following exercises, determine whether each equation is a proportion.

13. $\frac{7}{15}=\frac{56}{120}$	14. $\frac{5}{12}=\frac{45}{108}$
15. $\frac{11}{6}=\frac{21}{16}$	16. $\frac{9}{4}=\frac{39}{34}$
17. $\frac{12}{18}=\frac{4.99}{7.56}$	18. $\frac{9}{16}=\frac{2.16}{3.89}$
19. $\frac{13.5}{8.5}=\frac{31.05}{19.55}$	20. $\frac{10.1}{8.4}=\frac{3.03}{2.52}$

Solve Proportions

In the following exercises, solve each proportion.

21. $\frac{x}{56}=\frac{7}{8}$	22. $\frac{n}{91}=\frac{8}{13}$
23. $\frac{49}{63}=\frac{z}{9}$	24. $\frac{56}{72}=\frac{y}{9}$
25. $\frac{5}{a}=\frac{65}{117}$	26. $\frac{4}{b}=\frac{64}{144}$
27. $\frac{98}{154}=\frac{-7}{p}$	28. $\frac{72}{156}=\frac{-6}{q}$
29. $\frac{a}{-8}=\frac{-42}{48}$	30. $\frac{b}{-7}=\frac{-30}{42}$
31. $\frac{2.6}{3.9}=\frac{c}{3}$	32. $\frac{2.7}{3.6}=\frac{d}{4}$
33. $\frac{2.7}{j}=\frac{0.9}{0.2}$	34. $\frac{2.8}{k}=\frac{2.1}{1.5}$
35. $\frac{\frac{1}{2}}{1}=\frac{m}{8}$	36. $\frac{\frac{1}{3}}{3}=\frac{9}{n}$

Solve Applications Using Proportions

In the following exercises, solve the proportion problem.

37. Pediatricians prescribe $5$ millilitre s (ml) of acetaminophen for every $25$ pounds of a child’s weight. How many millilitres of acetaminophen will the doctor prescribe for Jocelyn, who weighs $45$ pounds?	38. Brianna, who weighs $6$ kg, just received her shots and needs a pain killer. The pain killer is prescribed for children at $15$ milligrams (mg) for every $1$ kilogram (kg) of the child’s weight. How many milligrams will the doctor prescribe?
39. At the gym, Carol takes her pulse for $10$ sec and counts $19$ beats. How many beats per minute is this? Has Carol met her target heart rate of $140$ beats per minute?	40. Kevin wants to keep his heart rate at $160$ beats per minute while training. During his workout he counts $27$ beats in $10$ seconds. How many beats per minute is this? Has Kevin met his target heart rate?
41. A new energy drink advertises $106$ calories for $8$ ounces. How many calories are in $12$ ounces of the drink?	42. One $12$ ounce can of soda has $150$ calories. If Josiah drinks the big $32$ ounce size from the local mini-mart, how many calories does he get?
43. Karen eats $\frac{1}{2}$ cup of oatmeal that counts for $2$ points on her weight loss program. Her husband, Joe, can have $3$ points of oatmeal for breakfast. How much oatmeal can he have?	44. An oatmeal cookie recipe calls for $\frac{1}{2}$ cup of butter to make $4$ dozen cookies. Hilda needs to make $10$ dozen cookies for the bake sale. How many cups of butter will she need?
45. Janice is traveling to the US and will change $\text{\$250}$ Canadian dollars into US dollars. At the current exchange rate, $\text{\$1}$ Canadian is equal to $\text{\$0.70}$ US. How many Canadian dollars will she get for her trip?	46. Todd is traveling to Mexico and needs to exchange $\text{\$450}$ into Mexican pesos. If each dollar is worth $17.20$ pesos, how many pesos will he get for his trip?
47. Steve changed $\text{\$782}$ into $507.08$ Euros. How many Euros did he receive per Canadian dollar?	48. Martha changed $\text{\$350}$ Canadian into $392.28$ Australian dollars. How many Australian dollars did she receive per US dollar?
49. At the laundromat, Lucy changed $\text{\$12.00}$ into quarters. How many quarters did she get?	50. When she arrived at a casino, Gerty changed $\text{\$20}$ into nickels. How many nickels did she get?
51. Jesse’s car gets $30$ miles per gallon of gas. If Toronto is $285$ miles away, how many gallons of gas are needed to get there and then home? If gas is $\text{\$3.09}$ per gallon, what is the total cost of the gas for the trip?	52. Danny wants to drive to Banff to see his grandfather. Banff is $370$ miles from Danny’s home and his car gets $18.5$ miles per gallon. How many gallons of gas will Danny need to get to and from Banff? If gas is $\text{\$3.19}$ per gallon, what is the total cost for the gas to drive to see his grandfather?
53. Hugh leaves early one morning to drive from his home in White Rock to go to Edmonton, $702$ miles away. After $3$ hours, he has gone $190$ miles. At that rate, how long will the whole drive take?	54. Kelly leaves her home in Seattle to drive to Spokane, a distance of $280$ miles. After $2$ hours, she has gone $152$ miles. At that rate, how long will the whole drive take?
55. Phil wants to fertilize his lawn. Each bag of fertilizer covers about $4,000$ square feet of lawn. Phil’s lawn is approximately $13,500$ square feet. How many bags of fertilizer will he have to buy?	56. April wants to paint the exterior of her house. One gallon of paint covers about $350$ square feet, and the exterior of the house measures approximately $2000$ square feet. How many gallons of paint will she have to buy?

Write Percent Equations as Proportions

In the following exercises, translate to a proportion.

57. What number is $\text{35\%}$ of $250?$	58. What number is $\text{75\%}$ of $920?$
59. What number is $\text{110\%}$ of $47?$	60. What number is $\text{150\%}$ of $64?$
61. $45$ is $\text{30\%}$ of what number?	62. $25$ is $\text{80\%}$ of what number?
63. $90$ is $\text{150\%}$ of what number?	64. $77$ is $\text{110\%}$ of what number?
64. $77$ is $\text{110\%}$ of what number?	65. What percent of $85$ is $17?$
66. What percent of $92$ is $46?$	67. What percent of $260$ is $340?$
68. What percent of $180$ is $220?$

Translate and Solve Percent Proportions

In the following exercises, translate and solve using proportions.

69. What number is $\text{65\%}$ of $180?$	70. What number is $\text{55\%}$ of $300?$
71. $\text{18\%}$ of $92$ is what number?	72. $\text{22\%}$ of $74$ is what number?
73. $\text{175\%}$ of $26$ is what number?	74. $\text{250\%}$ of $61$ is what number?
75. What is $\text{300\%}$ of $488?$	76. What is $\text{500\%}$ of $315?$
77. $\text{17\%}$ of what number is $\text{\$7.65}?$	78. $\text{19\%}$ of what number is $\text{\$6.46}?$
79. $\text{\$13.53}$ is $\text{8.25\%}$ of what number?	80. $\text{\$18.12}$ is $\text{7.55\%}$ of what number?
81. What percent of $56$ is $14?$	82. What percent of $80$ is $28?$
83. What percent of $96$ is $12?$	84. What percent of $120$ is $27?$

Everyday Math

85. Mixing a concentrate Sam bought a large bottle of concentrated cleaning solution at the warehouse store. He must mix the concentrate with water to make a solution for washing his windows. The directions tell him to mix $3$ ounces of concentrate with $5$ ounces of water. If he puts $12$ ounces of concentrate in a bucket, how many ounces of water should he add? How many ounces of the solution will he have altogether?

86. Mixing a concentrate Travis is going to wash his car. The directions on the bottle of car wash concentrate say to mix $2$ ounces of concentrate with $15$ ounces of water. If Travis puts $6$ ounces of concentrate in a bucket, how much water must he mix with the concentrate?

Writing Exercises

87. To solve “what number is $\text{45\%}$ of $350\text{''}$ do you prefer to use an equation like you did in the section on Decimal Operations or a proportion like you did in this section? Explain your reason.

88. To solve “what percent of $125$ is $25\text{''}$ do you prefer to use an equation like you did in the section on Decimal Operations or a proportion like you did in this section? Explain your reason.

Answers

1. $\frac{4}{15}=\frac{36}{135}$	3. $\frac{12}{5}=\frac{96}{40}$	5. $\frac{5}{7}=\frac{115}{161}$
7. $\frac{8}{1}=\frac{48}{6}$	9. $\frac{9.36}{18}=\frac{2.60}{5}$	11. $\frac{18.04}{11}=\frac{4.92}{3}$
13. yes	15. no	17. no
19. yes	21. 49	23. 47
25. 9	27. -11	29. 7
31. 2	33. 0.6	35. 4
37. 9 ml	39. 114, no	41. 159 cal
43. $\frac{3}{4}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{cup}$	45. $175.00	47. 0.65
49. 48 quarters	51. 19, $58.71	53. 11.1 hours
55. 4 bags	57. $\frac{n}{250}=\frac{35}{100}$	59. $\frac{n}{47}=\frac{110}{100}$
61. $\frac{45}{n}=\frac{30}{100}$	63. $\frac{90}{n}=\frac{150}{100}$	65. $\frac{17}{85}=\frac{p}{100}$
67. $\frac{340}{260}=\frac{p}{100}$	69. 117	70. 165
71. 16.56	73. 45.5	75. 1464
77. $45	79. $164	81. 25%
83. 12.5%	85. 20, 32	87. Answers will vary.

Attributions

This chapter has been adapted from “Solve Proportions and their Applications” in Prealgebra (OpenStax) by Lynn Marecek, MaryAnne Anthony-Smith, and Andrea Honeycutt Mathis, which is under a CC BY 4.0 Licence. Adapted by Izabela Mazur. See the Copyright page for more information.

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Use the Definition of Proportion

Solve Proportions

Solve Applications Using Proportions

Write Percent Equations As Proportions

Translate and Solve Percent Proportions

Key Concepts

Glossary

Practice Makes Perfect

Use the Definition of Proportion

Solve Proportions

Solve Applications Using Proportions

Write Percent Equations as Proportions

Translate and Solve Percent Proportions

Everyday Math

Writing Exercises

Answers

Attributions

License

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