RATIOS, RATES AND

PROPORTIONS

RATIOS OF TWO QUANTITIES

(A) Comparing two quatities in the form a : b or a

b
1. A ratio of two quatities is a comparison between two quantities of the same units. It
is also a fraction showing the first quantity as part of the second quantity.

2. A ratio of two quantities can be written as a : b or a (b ≠ 0). a : b is read as 'a is to b'.

b

3. The order in which the ration is written is of great important. Note that a ≠ b, therefore
b a
a : b ≠ b : a.

4. A ratio has no unit. It is only a number which indicates how many times one quatity
is greater than the other.

5. The units need to be standardized for quantities of different units of

measurement, before they are expressed as a ration.
(B) Determining whether given ratios are equivalent
1. By multiplying or dividing each part of a ratio with the same common factor, we can
obtain the equivalent ratio.

2. A ratio of two quatities remains the same if the two quantities of the ratio are
both multiplied of divided by the same number.
(C) Simplifying ratios to the lowest term
1. The ratio a : b is in the lowest term if a and b are whole numbers with no other
common factor except 1.

2. A simplified ratio can be obtained by multiplying or dividing both quantities of the

ratio with the same number.

(D) Stating ratios related to a given ratio

When a ratio is given, other ratios related to the given ratio can be written accordingly.

In general, if X : Y = a : b, with a > v, then the ratio

(a) X is to the sum of X and Y

=a:a+b

(b) Y is to the sum of X and Y the ratio

=b:a+b

(c) X is to the difference between X and Y

=a:a-b

(d) Y is to the difference of X and Y

 =b:a-b

PROPORTIONS

(A) Stating Whether Two Pairs of Quantities is a Proportion

A proportion is an equality of ratios between two pairs of quantities. It is a statement with a
ratio on each side stating that the two ratios are equal.
(B) Determining if a Quantity is Proportional to Another Quantity Given
Two Values of Each Quantity
We can determine whether a quantity is proportional to another quantity when we are given two
values of each quantity, by finding whether the ratios of the given quantities are equivalent.
(C) Finding the Value of a Quantity Given the Ratio of the Two Quantities
and the Value of Another Quantity

Method 1 : Unitary Method

The solving of problems involving proportions by working out the vaue of one unit is called the
Unitary Method.

Method 2 : Cross-Multiplication
Problems involving proportions can be solved using the cross-multiplication method by
following the steps given below.

(a) Form the ratios of the two quantities from the given information.
(b) Write an equation of proportion according to the information given.
(c) Solve the equation of proportion by cross-multiplication.
(D) Finding the Value of a Quantity Given the Ratio of the Sum of the Two
Quantities
(F) Finding the Sum of Two Quantity Given the Ratio of the Quantities and
the Difference Between the Quantities

(G) Solving Problems Involving Ratios and Proportions

RATIOS OF THREE QUANTITIES

(A) Comparing three quantities in the form a : b : c

1. A ratio of three quantities is a comparison between three quantities that have the
same unit.

2. The ratio of three quantities is qritten as a : b : c and is read as ' a is to b is to c '.

For example :

(a) The ratio of 5 cm to 15 cm to 17 cm

 = 5 : 15 : 17

(b) The ratio of 7 mm to 9 mm to 1.5 cm

= 7 : 9 : 15

(B) Determining whether the given ratios are equivalent ratios

Multiply of divide the three quantities in the given ratio by the same factor to determine whether
the two ratios of three quantities are equivalent ratios.

(C) Simplifying a ratio of three quantities to the lowest term

(D) Stating the ratio of any two quantities given the ratio of three
quantities
1. The ratio of any two quantities can be identified if the ratio of three quantities is given.
In general, if S : T : U = x : y : x, then

(a) S:T=x:y
(b) S:U=x:z
(c) U:T=z:y
(d) S+T:T+U=x+y:y+z
(E) Finding the ratio of a : b : c given the ratio of a : b and b : c
To write a : b : c if a : b : c are given, meke sure that the value of b is the same by using the
lowest common multiple (LCM).
(F) Finding the value of the other quantities, given the ratio of three
quantities and the value of one of the quantities

(G) Finding the values of each of the three quantities, given the ratio and
the sum of three quantities
(H) Finding the values of each of the three quantities, given the ratio and
the difference between two of the three quantities
(I) Finding the sum of three quantities, given the ratio and the difference
between two of the three quantities
(J) Solving problems involving the ratio of three quantities

The ratio of the number of blue pens to the number of red pens is 3 : 5. The total number of
pens is 184. Calculate the difference between the number of red and blue pens.
Let the number of blue pens and red pens be b and r respectively.

Thus, the difference between the number of red and blue pens

= 184 - 69 = 115

Let the number of blue pens and red pens be b and r respectively. The difference between the
number of red and blue pens is r - b.

If p : q = 4 : 5, find the value of p when q = 20.

The ratio of the number of oranges in basket A to the number of oranges in basket B to the
number of oranges in basket C is 8 : 2 : 3. The total number of oranges in basket A and C is 27
more than the number of oranges in basket B. Find the total number of oranges in these three
baskets.

Let the number of oranges in baskets A, B and C be a, b and c respectively.

a:b:c

8:2:3

Let the total number of oranges in the three baskets be x.

x=a+b+c
=8+2+3
= 13

By proportion,
Therefore, the total number of oranges in the three baskets is 39.

Yana, Freda and Lau invested in a food business in the ratio 2 : 5 : 8. The total amount invested
by Yana and Freda was RM4 200. Find the amount of money invested by Lau.

Let the amount of money invested by Yana, Freda and Lau be C, S and H, respectively.
C:S:H=2:5:8

Let the amount of money invested by Yana, Freda and Lau be C, S and H, respectively.
C:S:H=2:5:8

The total amount invested by Yana and Freda = RM4 200

i.e. C + S = 4 200

By proportion,