PROPORTIONS

A proportion states that 2 ratios are

equal. A proportion may be true or
false.
A true proportion

1 3

2 6

A false proportion

1 3

2 4

A proportion has four terms. In the

proportion 2 4
5 10
the first term is 2, the second term is 5
the third term is 4, and the fourth term
is 10. The first and fourth terms are
called the extremes and the second
and third terms are called the means.
2 4
2 : 5 4 :10
5 10

If a proportion is true, then the product

of the means must equal the product
of the extremes. These products are
referred to as the cross products.

2 4

5 10
2(10) 5(4)
20 20

Properties of proportions

Invertendo
If a:b=c:d then b:a = d:c
a:b=c:d
Dividing 1 by each of these ratios,

Alternendo
If a:b=c:d, then a:c=b:d.

a:c=b:d

Componendo
If a:b=c:d, then a+b:b=c+d:d

Adding 1 to both sides, we get

Dividendo
If a:b=c:d then a-b:b=c-d:d

Subtracting 1 from both sides, we get

Componendo and Dividendo

If a:b=c:d then a+b:a-b::c+d:c-d.
a:b=c:d
a+b:b=c+d:d by componendo
a-b:b=c-d:d by dividendo
Dividing,

Illustrative examples

1) If a:b::c:d, show that

2a+3b:2a-3b::2c+3d:2c-3d.

a:b::c:d
Multiplying both sides by 2/3, we get

Applying componendo and dividendo,

 By alternendo,
Applying Componendo/Dividendo, we get

 Dividing both sides by 2x, we get

 By componendo and dividendo, we get

Adding (1) and (2),

=2

4) If a, b, c and d are in continued

proportion then prove that

 a, b, c, d are in continued proportion.

then a=bk, b=ck, c=dk

Consider,

Putting the values of a,b and c , we get

Consider,

then x=ak, y=bk, z=ck

Consider,
LHS=

=k3/2

Suggested answer:

By componendo and dividendo, we get

 Squaring both sides,

By componendo and dividendo, we get

or, x(b2+1)=2ab

 Suggested answer:
(a2+b2) (m2+n2)=(am+bn)2 given
a2m2+b2m2+a2n2+b2n2=a2m2+b2n2+2ambn
b2m2+a2n2-2ambn=0
(bm-an)2=0

bm=an or,

8. Mean Proportion, Continued

Proportion
Find the mean proportional
between 49 and 64.
Find the third proportional to 9
and 12

9. A mixture contains alcohol

and water in the ratio 4:3. If 7
ltrs of water is added to the
mixture, the ratio of alcohol
and water becomes 3:4. find
the quantity of alcohol in the
mixture.

 4x/(3x+7) =
X=3
alcohol = 12 ltrs

10. Three utensils contain equal

mixtures of milk and water in
the ratio 6:1, 5:2 and 3:1. If the
solutions are mixed together,
find the ratio of milk and water
in the final mixture.

 Quantity of Milk=6/7+5/7+3/4
=65/28
Quantity of
water=1/7+2/7+1/4=19/28
So, now, milk: water= 65:19

11. Find three numbers in the

ratio 2:3:5, the sum of whose
squares is 608

Let the numbers be 2x, 3x and 5x.

Then 4x2+9x2+25x2 = 608
X2 = 608/38=16
X= 4

So, the numbers are 8, 12 and 20

12. A bag contains rupee, 50

paise and 25 paise coins in
the ratio 5:6:8. If the total
amount is Rs. 420, find the
number of coins of each
type

 Ratio of values = 5: 6/2: 8/4 = 5:3:2

Dividing Rs. 420 in the ratio 5:3:2 we
get 1st part =Rs. (420 x 5/10) =Rs. 210
2nd part=Rs. (420 x 3/10) =Rs. 126
3rd part=Rs. (420 x 2/10) =Rs. 84
So, number of one-rupee coins = 210
number of 50 paise coins = 126 x 2 =252
number of 25 paise coins = 84 x 4 = 336