Question

How do you solve proportions?

Answer 1

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?