Prealgebra

# 6.5Solve Proportions and their Applications

Prealgebra6.5 Solve Proportions and their Applications

### Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Use the definition of proportion
• Solve proportions
• Solve applications using proportions
• Write percent equations as proportions
• Translate and solve percent proportions
Be Prepared 6.5

Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.

1. Simplify: $134.134.$
If you missed this problem, review Example 4.44.
2. Solve: $x4=20.x4=20.$
If you missed this problem, review Example 4.99.
3. Write as a rate: Sale rode his bike $2424$ miles in $22$ hours.
If you missed this problem, review Example 5.63.

### Use the Definition of Proportion

In the section on Ratios and Rates we saw some ways they are used in our daily lives. When two ratios or rates are equal, the equation relating them is called a proportion.

### Proportion

A proportion is an equation of the form $ab=cd,ab=cd,$ where $b≠0,d≠0.b≠0,d≠0.$

The proportion states two ratios or rates are equal. The proportion is read $“a“a$ is to $b,b,$ as $cc$ is to $d”.d”.$

The equation $12=4812=48$ is a proportion because the two fractions are equal. The proportion $12=4812=48$ is read $“1“1$ is to $22$ as $44$ is to $8”.8”.$

If we compare quantities with units, we have to be sure we are comparing them in the right order. For example, in the proportion $20 students1 teacher=60 students3 teachers20 students1 teacher=60 students3 teachers$ we compare the number of students to the number of teachers. We put students in the numerators and teachers in the denominators.

### Example 6.40

Write each sentence as a proportion:

1. $33$ is to $77$ as $1515$ is to $35.35.$
2. $55$ hits in $88$ at bats is the same as $3030$ hits in $4848$ at-bats.
3. $1.501.50$ for $66$ ounces is equivalent to $2.252.25$ for $99$ ounces.
Try It 6.79

Write each sentence as a proportion:

1. $55$ is to $99$ as $2020$ is to $36.36.$
2. $77$ hits in $1111$ at-bats is the same as $2828$ hits in $4444$ at-bats.
3. $2.502.50$ for $88$ ounces is equivalent to $3.753.75$ for $1212$ ounces.
Try It 6.80

Write each sentence as a proportion:

1. $66$ is to $77$ as $3636$ is to $42.42.$
2. $88$ adults for $3636$ children is the same as $1212$ adults for $5454$ children.
3. $3.753.75$ for $66$ ounces is equivalent to $2.502.50$ for $44$ ounces.

Look at the proportions $12=4812=48$ and $23=69.23=69.$ From our work with equivalent fractions we know these equations are true. But how do we know if an equation is a proportion with equivalent fractions if it contains fractions with larger numbers?

To determine if a proportion is true, we find the cross products of each proportion. To find the cross products, we multiply each denominator with the opposite numerator (diagonally across the equal sign). The results are called a cross products because of the cross formed. The cross products of a proportion are equal.

### Cross Products of a Proportion

For any proportion of the form $ab=cd,ab=cd,$ where $b≠0,d≠0,b≠0,d≠0,$ its cross products are equal.

Cross products can be used to test whether a proportion is true. To test whether an equation makes a proportion, we find the cross products. If they are the equal, we have a proportion.

### Example 6.41

Determine whether each equation is a proportion:

1. $49=122849=1228$
2. $17.537.5=71517.537.5=715$
Try It 6.81

Determine whether each equation is a proportion:

1. $79=547279=5472$
2. $24.545.5=71324.545.5=713$
Try It 6.82

Determine whether each equation is a proportion:

1. $89=567389=5673$
2. $28.552.5=81528.552.5=815$

### Solve Proportions

To solve a proportion containing a variable, we remember that the proportion is an equation. All of the techniques we have used so far to solve equations still apply. In the next example, we will solve a proportion by multiplying by the Least Common Denominator (LCD) using the Multiplication Property of Equality.

### Example 6.42

Solve: $x63=47.x63=47.$

Try It 6.83

Solve the proportion: $n84=1112.n84=1112.$

Try It 6.84

Solve the proportion: $y96=1312.y96=1312.$

When the variable is in a denominator, we’ll use the fact that the cross products of a proportion are equal to solve the proportions.

We can find the cross products of the proportion and then set them equal. Then we solve the resulting equation using our familiar techniques.

### Example 6.43

Solve: $144a=94.144a=94.$

Try It 6.85

Solve the proportion: $91b=75.91b=75.$

Try It 6.86

Solve the proportion: $39c=138.39c=138.$

### Example 6.44

Solve: $5291=−4y.5291=−4y.$

Try It 6.87

Solve the proportion: $8498=−6x.8498=−6x.$

Try It 6.88

Solve the proportion: $−7y=105135.−7y=105135.$

### Solve Applications Using Proportions

The strategy for solving applications that we have used earlier in this chapter, also works for proportions, since proportions are equations. When we set up the proportion, we must make sure the units are correct—the units in the numerators match and the units in the denominators match.

### Example 6.45

When pediatricians prescribe acetaminophen to children, they prescribe $55$ milliliters (ml) of acetaminophen for every $2525$ pounds of the child’s weight. If Zoe weighs $8080$ pounds, how many milliliters of acetaminophen will her doctor prescribe?

Try It 6.89

Pediatricians prescribe $55$ milliliters (ml) of acetaminophen for every $2525$ pounds of a child’s weight. How many milliliters of acetaminophen will the doctor prescribe for Emilia, who weighs $6060$ pounds?

Try It 6.90

For every $11$ kilogram (kg) of a child’s weight, pediatricians prescribe $1515$ milligrams (mg) of a fever reducer. If Isabella weighs $1212$ kg, how many milligrams of the fever reducer will the pediatrician prescribe?

### Example 6.46

One brand of microwave popcorn has $120120$ calories per serving. A whole bag of this popcorn has $3.53.5$ servings. How many calories are in a whole bag of this microwave popcorn?

Try It 6.91

Marissa loves the Caramel Macchiato at the coffee shop. The $1616$ oz. medium size has $240240$ calories. How many calories will she get if she drinks the large $2020$ oz. size?

Try It 6.92

Yaneli loves Starburst candies, but wants to keep her snacks to $100100$ calories. If the candies have $160160$ calories for $88$ pieces, how many pieces can she have in her snack?

### Example 6.47

Josiah went to Mexico for spring break and changed $325325$ dollars into Mexican pesos. At that time, the exchange rate had $11$ U.S. is equal to $12.5412.54$ Mexican pesos. How many Mexican pesos did he get for his trip?

Try It 6.93

Yurianna is going to Europe and wants to change $800800$ dollars into Euros. At the current exchange rate, $11$ US is equal to $0.7380.738$ Euro. How many Euros will she have for her trip?

Try It 6.94

Corey and Nicole are traveling to Japan and need to exchange $600600$ into Japanese yen. If each dollar is $94.194.1$ yen, how many yen will they get?

### Write Percent Equations As Proportions

Previously, we solved percent equations by applying the properties of equality we have used to solve equations throughout this text. Some people prefer to solve percent equations by using the proportion method. The proportion method for solving percent problems involves a percent proportion. A percent proportion is an equation where a percent is equal to an equivalent ratio.

For example, $60%=6010060%=60100$ and we can simplify $60100=35.60100=35.$ Since the equation $60100=3560100=35$ shows a percent equal to an equivalent ratio, we call it a percent proportion. Using the vocabulary we used earlier:

$amountbase=percent100amountbase=percent100$
$35=6010035=60100$

### Percent Proportion

The amount is to the base as the percent is to $100.100.$

$amountbase=percent100amountbase=percent100$

If we restate the problem in the words of a proportion, it may be easier to set up the proportion:

$The amount is to the base as the percent is to one hundred.The amount is to the base as the percent is to one hundred.$

We could also say:

$The amount out of the base is the same as the percent out of one hundred.The amount out of the base is the same as the percent out of one hundred.$

First we will practice translating into a percent proportion. Later, we’ll solve the proportion.

### Example 6.48

Translate to a proportion. What number is $75%75%$ of $90?90?$

Try It 6.95

Translate to a proportion: What number is $60%60%$ of $105?105?$

Try It 6.96

Translate to a proportion: What number is $40%40%$ of $85?85?$

### Example 6.49

Translate to a proportion. $1919$ is $25%25%$ of what number?

Try It 6.97

Translate to a proportion: $3636$ is $25%25%$ of what number?

Try It 6.98

Translate to a proportion: $2727$ is $36%36%$ of what number?

### Example 6.50

Translate to a proportion. What percent of $2727$ is $9?9?$

Try It 6.99

Translate to a proportion: What percent of $5252$ is $39?39?$

Try It 6.100

Translate to a proportion: What percent of $9292$ is $23?23?$

### Translate and Solve Percent Proportions

Now that we have written percent equations as proportions, we are ready to solve the equations.

### Example 6.51

Translate and solve using proportions: What number is $45%45%$ of $80?80?$

Try It 6.101

Translate and solve using proportions: What number is $65%65%$ of $40?40?$

Try It 6.102

Translate and solve using proportions: What number is $85%85%$ of $40?40?$

In the next example, the percent is more than $100,100,$ which is more than one whole. So the unknown number will be more than the base.

### Example 6.52

Translate and solve using proportions: $125%125%$ of $2525$ is what number?

Try It 6.103

Translate and solve using proportions: $125%125%$ of $6464$ is what number?

Try It 6.104

Translate and solve using proportions: $175%175%$ of $8484$ is what number?

Percents with decimals and money are also used in proportions.

### Example 6.53

Translate and solve: $6.5%6.5%$ of what number is $1.56?1.56?$

Try It 6.105

Translate and solve using proportions: $8.5%8.5%$ of what number is $3.23?3.23?$

Try It 6.106

Translate and solve using proportions: $7.25%7.25%$ of what number is $4.64?4.64?$

### Example 6.54

Translate and solve using proportions: What percent of $7272$ is $9?9?$

Try It 6.107

Translate and solve using proportions: What percent of $7272$ is $27?27?$

Try It 6.108

Translate and solve using proportions: What percent of $9292$ is $23?23?$

### Section 6.5 Exercises

#### Practice Makes Perfect

Use the Definition of Proportion

In the following exercises, write each sentence as a proportion.

244.

$44$ is to $1515$ as $3636$ is to $135.135.$

245.

$77$ is to $99$ as $3535$ is to $45.45.$

246.

$1212$ is to $55$ as $9696$ is to $40.40.$

247.

$1515$ is to $88$ as $7575$ is to $40.40.$

248.

$55$ wins in $77$ games is the same as $115115$ wins in $161161$ games.

249.

$44$ wins in $99$ games is the same as $3636$ wins in $8181$ games.

250.

$88$ campers to $11$ counselor is the same as $4848$ campers to $66$ counselors.

251.

$66$ campers to $11$ counselor is the same as $4848$ campers to $88$ counselors.

252.

$9.369.36$ for $1818$ ounces is the same as $2.602.60$ for $55$ ounces.

253.

$3.923.92$ for $88$ ounces is the same as $1.471.47$ for $33$ ounces.

254.

$18.0418.04$ for $1111$ pounds is the same as $4.924.92$ for $33$ pounds.

255.

$12.4212.42$ for $2727$ pounds is the same as $5.525.52$ for $1212$ pounds.

In the following exercises, determine whether each equation is a proportion.

256.

$715=56120715=56120$

257.

$512=45108512=45108$

258.

$116=2116116=2116$

259.

$94=393494=3934$

260.

$1218=4.997.561218=4.997.56$

261.

$916=2.163.89916=2.163.89$

262.

$13.58.5=31.0519.5513.58.5=31.0519.55$

263.

$10.18.4=3.032.5210.18.4=3.032.52$

Solve Proportions

In the following exercises, solve each proportion.

264.

$x56=78x56=78$

265.

$n91=813n91=813$

266.

$4963=z94963=z9$

267.

$5672=y95672=y9$

268.

$5a=651175a=65117$

269.

$4b=641444b=64144$

270.

$98154=−7p98154=−7p$

271.

$72156=−6q72156=−6q$

272.

$a−8=−4248a−8=−4248$

273.

$b−7=−3042b−7=−3042$

274.

$2.63.9=c32.63.9=c3$

275.

$2.73.6=d42.73.6=d4$

276.

$2.7j=0.90.22.7j=0.90.2$

277.

$2.8k=2.11.52.8k=2.11.5$

278.

$121=m8121=m8$

279.

$133=9n133=9n$

Solve Applications Using Proportions

In the following exercises, solve the proportion problem.

280.

Pediatricians prescribe $55$ milliliters (ml) of acetaminophen for every $2525$ pounds of a child’s weight. How many milliliters of acetaminophen will the doctor prescribe for Jocelyn, who weighs $4545$ pounds?

281.

Brianna, who weighs $66$ kg, just received her shots and needs a pain killer. The pain killer is prescribed for children at $1515$ milligrams (mg) for every $11$ kilogram (kg) of the child’s weight. How many milligrams will the doctor prescribe?

282.

At the gym, Carol takes her pulse for $1010$ sec and counts $1919$ beats. How many beats per minute is this? Has Carol met her target heart rate of $140140$ beats per minute?

283.

Kevin wants to keep his heart rate at $160160$ beats per minute while training. During his workout he counts $2727$ beats in $1010$ seconds. How many beats per minute is this? Has Kevin met his target heart rate?

284.

A new energy drink advertises $106106$ calories for $88$ ounces. How many calories are in $1212$ ounces of the drink?

285.

One $1212$ ounce can of soda has $150150$ calories. If Josiah drinks the big $3232$ ounce size from the local mini-mart, how many calories does he get?

286.

Karen eats $1212$ cup of oatmeal that counts for $22$ points on her weight loss program. Her husband, Joe, can have $33$ points of oatmeal for breakfast. How much oatmeal can he have?

287.

An oatmeal cookie recipe calls for $1212$ cup of butter to make $44$ dozen cookies. Hilda needs to make $1010$ dozen cookies for the bake sale. How many cups of butter will she need?

288.

Janice is traveling to Canada and will change $250250$ US dollars into Canadian dollars. At the current exchange rate, $11$ US is equal to $1.011.01$ Canadian. How many Canadian dollars will she get for her trip?

289.

Todd is traveling to Mexico and needs to exchange $450450$ into Mexican pesos. If each dollar is worth $12.2912.29$ pesos, how many pesos will he get for his trip?

290.

Steve changed $600600$ into $480480$ Euros. How many Euros did he receive per US dollar?

291.

Martha changed $350350$ US into $385385$ Australian dollars. How many Australian dollars did she receive per US dollar?

292.

At the laundromat, Lucy changed $12.0012.00$ into quarters. How many quarters did she get?

293.

When she arrived at a casino, Gerty changed $2020$ into nickels. How many nickels did she get?

294.

Jesse’s car gets $3030$ miles per gallon of gas. If Las Vegas is $285285$ miles away, how many gallons of gas are needed to get there and then home? If gas is $3.093.09$ per gallon, what is the total cost of the gas for the trip?

295.

Danny wants to drive to Phoenix to see his grandfather. Phoenix is $370370$ miles from Danny’s home and his car gets $18.518.5$ miles per gallon. How many gallons of gas will Danny need to get to and from Phoenix? If gas is $3.193.19$ per gallon, what is the total cost for the gas to drive to see his grandfather?

296.

Hugh leaves early one morning to drive from his home in Chicago to go to Mount Rushmore, $812812$ miles away. After $33$ hours, he has gone $190190$ miles. At that rate, how long will the whole drive take?

297.

Kelly leaves her home in Seattle to drive to Spokane, a distance of $280280$ miles. After $22$ hours, she has gone $152152$ miles. At that rate, how long will the whole drive take?

298.

Phil wants to fertilize his lawn. Each bag of fertilizer covers about $4,0004,000$ square feet of lawn. Phil’s lawn is approximately $13,50013,500$ square feet. How many bags of fertilizer will he have to buy?

299.

April wants to paint the exterior of her house. One gallon of paint covers about $350350$ square feet, and the exterior of the house measures approximately $20002000$ square feet. How many gallons of paint will she have to buy?

Write Percent Equations as Proportions

In the following exercises, translate to a proportion.

300.

What number is $35%35%$ of $250?250?$

301.

What number is $75%75%$ of $920?920?$

302.

What number is $110%110%$ of $47?47?$

303.

What number is $150%150%$ of $64?64?$

304.

$4545$ is $30%30%$ of what number?

305.

$2525$ is $80%80%$ of what number?

306.

$9090$ is $150%150%$ of what number?

307.

$7777$ is $110%110%$ of what number?

308.

What percent of $8585$ is $17?17?$

309.

What percent of $9292$ is $46?46?$

310.

What percent of $260260$ is $340?340?$

311.

What percent of $180180$ is $220?220?$

Translate and Solve Percent Proportions

In the following exercises, translate and solve using proportions.

312.

What number is $65%65%$ of $180?180?$

313.

What number is $55%55%$ of $300?300?$

314.

$18%18%$ of $9292$ is what number?

315.

$22%22%$ of $7474$ is what number?

316.

$175%175%$ of $2626$ is what number?

317.

$250%250%$ of $6161$ is what number?

318.

What is $300%300%$ of $488?488?$

319.

What is $500%500%$ of $315?315?$

320.

$17%17%$ of what number is $7.65?7.65?$

321.

$19%19%$ of what number is $6.46?6.46?$

322.

$13.5313.53$ is $8.25%8.25%$ of what number?

323.

$18.1218.12$ is $7.55%7.55%$ of what number?

324.

What percent of $5656$ is $14?14?$

325.

What percent of $8080$ is $28?28?$

326.

What percent of $9696$ is $12?12?$

327.

What percent of $120120$ is $27?27?$

#### Everyday Math

328.

Mixing a concentrate Sam bought a large bottle of concentrated cleaning solution at the warehouse store. He must mix the concentrate with water to make a solution for washing his windows. The directions tell him to mix $33$ ounces of concentrate with $55$ ounces of water. If he puts $1212$ ounces of concentrate in a bucket, how many ounces of water should he add? How many ounces of the solution will he have altogether?

329.

Mixing a concentrate Travis is going to wash his car. The directions on the bottle of car wash concentrate say to mix $22$ ounces of concentrate with $1515$ ounces of water. If Travis puts $66$ ounces of concentrate in a bucket, how much water must he mix with the concentrate?

#### Writing Exercises

330.

To solve “what number is $45%45%$ of $350”350”$ do you prefer to use an equation like you did in the section on Decimal Operations or a proportion like you did in this section? Explain your reason.

331.

To solve “what percent of $125125$ is $25”25”$ do you prefer to use an equation like you did in the section on Decimal Operations or a proportion like you did in this section? Explain your reason.

#### Self Check

After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.

Overall, after looking at the checklist, do you think you are well-prepared for the next Chapter? Why or why not?