Proporciones básicas o simples

Proporciones básicas o simples

Suppose there are two ratios a:b and c:d. They can be written as fractions Large{a over b} and Large{c over d}, respectively. Now, if we set these two ratios equal to each other entonces se convierte en un proporción.

Ways to Write a Proportion

Proportion is a statement showing that two ratios are equal. There are two ways to write a proportion:

Proporciones básicas o simples Proporciones básicas o simples

Both can be read as “a is to b as c is to d“.




Next, let’s identify the parts of a proportion. We need this concept in order to solve problems later on.

  • COLON FORM
Proporciones básicas o simples

In colon form, the extremes are the two outermost values, while the means are the two innermost values.


  • FRACTION FORM (Standard Form)
Proporciones básicas o simples

In a fraction form, the extremes are the values hit by a diagonal drawn from top left to bottom right, while the means are the values hit by a diagonal drawn from the bottom left to top right.


After getting familiar with the definition and parts of a proportion, we can now talk about the properties of proportions. Estos son Digital XNUMXk useful properties that can be used to solve problems.

Properties of Proportions

1) Reciprocal Property

If two ratios are equal, then their reciprocals must also be equal as long as they exist.

Proporciones básicas o simples

2) Cross Product Property

The product of the extremes is equal to the product of the means.



Proporciones básicas o simples

Examples of How to Apply the Concept of Proportions

Ejemplo 1: Show that the proportion below is true.

Proporciones básicas o simples

In order for a proportion to be true, the fractions on both sides of the equations must be reduced to the same value. The fraction on the left side of the equation has a greatest common divisor of 5. While the fraction on the right has a greatest common divisor of 6.

Proporciones básicas o simples

Since the two fractions on both sides are equal after reducing to lowest terms, we can claim that the given proportion is verdadero!


Ejemplo 2: Show that the proportion below is true.

Proporciones básicas o simples

We can also show if a proportion is true using the Cross Product Property. Simply put, if the product of their extremes (outer values) equals the product of means (inner values) then the proportion is true.

Proporciones básicas o simples

This shows that the given proportion is verdadero!

Ejemplo 3:  Solve the proportion below.

Proporciones básicas o simples

This problem is a proportion with an unknown value. Our goal is to find the value of “x” that could make the proportion a true statement. We can easily solve this using the Cross Product Property.

Proporciones básicas o simples

You may back substitute x = 2 into the original proportion and verify that it is indeed the correct answer.

Ejemplo 4:  Solve the proportion below.

Proporciones básicas o simples

The only difference of this problem from example #3 is that the unknown variable “x” is found in the denominator. Solving this proportion is as easy as applying the Cross Product Property and then solving the simple equation that comes out of it.

Proporciones básicas o simples

Alternatively, you may first apply the Reciprocal Property to move the variable “x” from the bottom to top before using the Cross Product Property. The answer should come out the same.

Ejemplo 5:  Solve the proportion below.

Proporciones básicas o simples

This is another type of problem that you may encounter when solving proportions. The format of the proportion is using a colon instead of a fraction. To work this out, we need to rewrite the proportion in fractional form, and then solve this as usual.

Since a:b = c:d can be written as Large{a over b} = {c over d}, then our original problem becomes Large{{12} over x} = {4 over 3}.

Let’s go ahead and solve this…

Proporciones básicas o simples

Substitute x = 9 back to the original proportion to verify your answer.

Ejemplo 6:  The exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Indian Rupee is 2 - 106. At this rate, how much US Dollar would you have if you exchanged 901 Indian Rupees?

What we want is to set up a proportion that we can solve. We can do this two ways. One way is to place the dollar values in the numerators while the rupees in the denominators of the proportion. And the other way is to swap their locations. Either of the setups should give us the same answer.

For this exercise, we will put the dollar information on top.

Proporciones básicas o simples

Solve the unknown value of “x” to get the required dollar value.

Proporciones básicas o simples

That means at the time of the exchange, 17 dólares estadounidenses es equivalente a 901 rupias indias.

⚠️ The next example is a challenging problem because it will require you to apply critical thinking and solve Multi-Step Linear Equations with variables on both sides of the equation.

Ejemplo 7: You want to cut a block of wood with a length of 72 feet into two pieces such that the ratio of the shorter to the longer piece is 2 to 7. What are their lengths?

Let “x” be the length of the shorter piece. That means “72 - x” will be the longer piece. See diagram below.

Proporciones básicas o simples

It is given that the ratio of the shorter to the longer piece is 2:7. Using all these information, we can now setup the proportion to solve for the lengths of both short and longer pieces.

Proporciones básicas o simples

Solving the proportion above using the Cross Product Property of Proportionality…

Proporciones básicas o simples

Since the shorter piece is x = 16 feet, that means the longer piece is 72 - x = 72 - 16 = 56 pies.

To perform a check, we were told in the problem that the ratio of the shorter piece to longer piece is 2 to 7.  Notice that when we reduce the fraction Large{{16} over {56}} to lowest term, we will get the desired ratio.

Proporciones básicas o simples

Practica con hojas de trabajo



Añade un comentario de Proporciones básicas o simples
¡Comentario enviado con éxito! Lo revisaremos en las próximas horas.