How do you solve proportions?

1 Answer
Jun 3, 2018

Solving proportions is like solving fractions:

#a:b -> c:d# can be rewritten as #a/b = c/d# and now you can solve for any of the variables.

See an example below:

Explanation:

3 to 4 is like what to 16?

This can be rewritten as a proportion:

#3:4 -> c:16#

Which can be rewritten as:

#3/4 = c/16#

Which can be solved as:

#color(red)(16) xx 3/4 = color(red)(16) xx c/16#

#cancel(color(red)(16))color(red)(4) xx 3/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(4))) = cancel(color(red)(16)) xx c/color(red)(cancel(color(black)(16)))#

#12 = c#

#c = 12#

3 to 4 is like 12 to 16?