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Contemporary's GED Mathematics
Jerry Howett
Ratio and Proportion

Chapter Outline


Ratio

(See pages 137–139)

A ratio is a comparison of numbers by division. A ratio can be written in the following ways:

  • with the word to
  • with a colon [:]
  • as a fraction

Like a fraction, a ratio should be reduced to lowest terms.

In order to solve a ratio problem, you may have to calculate one of the numbers in a ratio.


Proportion

(See pages 140 and 141)

A proportion is a statement that two ratios are equal.

  • Each of the four numbers in a proportion is called an element, or a term.
  • The cross products in a proportion are equal.

To solve a proportion, follow these steps:

  • Write a statement with two equal cross products.
  • Divide both sides of the statement by the number in front of the missing term.

Proportion Word Problems

(See pages 142–144)

To solve a proportion word problem, make sure that the amounts being compared are in the same position on either side of the = sign.









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