Ratio

The ratio of the two quantities of the same kind and in the same units is a fraction that shows how many times one quantity is of the other. Ratio is denoted by using the symbol ‘:’. The ratio of two quantities a and b (b ≠ 0) is a/b and is denoted by a : b.

a : b is read as a is to b.

Remember: A ratio can be computed only when two quantities are in the same units.

Two quantities may not always be in the same units. In that case, we need to convert them into the same units. Finally, we need to reduce them to their lowest terms. This form of ratio is called the simplest form of the ratio. Ratios have no unit.

The concept of ratio and proportion has real-life applications in many ways. For example, a shopkeeper sells 2 bars of chocolate at ₹10. You want to give few pieces to your friends, so you decide to buy 6 bars. How do you calculate the cost to buy 6 bars of chocolate? You can do so using ratio and proportion:

2 bars ---> 10 rupees

6 bars ----> x

We come across situations when we are required to share or distribute a certain quantity in the given ratio. For example, sharing of profits in a business. In such cases, we need to convert the ratio into fractional parts and then multiply the given quantity with each of the fractions so obtained. This gives us the required share.

Equivalent Ratios

Two ratios that have the same value are called equivalent ratios. To find an equivalent ratio, multiply or divide both quantities by the same number.

There could be many equivalent ratios of the same ratio. In the case of equivalent ratios, only their value changes but they represent the same portion of the quantity.

Did you know? We can find the value of the missing term in a ratio given its equivalent ratio.

The ratio may have a missing numerator or missing denominator. Once that number is found we can use it to find the value of the unknown.

Anmol and Pratik are solving one such puzzle.

12/20 = x/5 = 9/y

Anmol tries to divide the denominator of the first fraction by 4 and he gets 5, which is the denominator of the second fraction. Dividing the numerator and denominator by 4, he gets,

12/20 = 3/5

Hence, the value of x is 3.

Now, it is Pratik’s turn to find the value of y.

12/20 = 3/5 = 9/y

He tries to multiply the numerator of the second fraction by 3 and gets 9, which is the numerator of the third fraction. Multiplying the numerator and denominator by 3, he gets,

3/5 = 9/15

Hence, the value of y is 15.

Therefore, 12/20 = 3/5 = 9/15

Proportion

If two ratios are equal, we say that they are in proportion and use the symbol ‘::’ or ‘=’ to equate the two ratios. Four numbers are said to be in proportion if the ratio of the first two is equal to the ratio of the last two, i.e., a, b, c, and d are in proportion, if a/b = c/d.

If two ratios are not equal, then we say that they are not in proportion. In a statement of proportion, the four quantities involved when taken in order are known as respective terms. First and fourth terms are known as extreme terms. Second and third terms are known as middle terms.

When finding the unknown term in a proportional relationship, first write the ratios with an equal symbol in between so that we understand that they are equivalent to each other. Then, find a number which when multiplied or divided from the numerator and denominator of the first ratio gives the unknown value of the second ratio.

Anmol and Pratik are busy solving yet another puzzle. This time, it seems to be related to an unknown value when all four terms are in proportion.

If 15, 45, x and 120 are in proportion, then find the value of x.

Anmol knows that since it is given that all the four terms form a proportion, then their ratios must be equal!

Ratio of 15 : 45 = 15/45 = 1/3 = 1 : 3

Ratio of x : 120 = x/120

So, according to the given information, 1/3=x/120

You know that 3 multiplied by 40 gives 120, hence, multiplying the numerator and denominator of 1/3 by 40, we get:

1/3=40/120

Therefore, the value of x is 40.

Ratio and proportion are also commonly used while representing data in a concise manner. Some common examples are demographics and maps. Have you ever looked at a map or had to draw a map? You will notice that it is impossible to draw the actual distance between places on a piece of paper, which is why we use a scale so that the drawn distance can be shown as a proportion to the original distance.

For example, on a road map, the distance between Dallas and Houston is 7 inches. What is the actual distance between the cities if the map scale is 1 inch = 50 kilometres?

Let ‘d’ be the actual distance between the cities.

1/50=7/d [Write a proportion]

1 × d = 7 × 50 [Find the cross products]

d = 350 [Multiply]

Hence, the distance between the cities is 350 kilometres.

Unitary Method

The method in which first we find the value of one unit and then the value of required number of units is known as unitary method.

Value of one article = Value of the given number of articles / Number of articles

Value of required number of articles = value of one article × required number of articles

The unitary method helps us understand the unit price when a thing is measured in dozens, kg, etc.