Ratios

Big Picture

and

PRoPoRtions

Geometry

Study Guides

The use of ratios and proportions comes in handy when finding the relationship between two geometric shapes. Ratios and proportions are often an important part of certain properties between two shapes, such as two similar polygons.

Key Terms
Ratio: A way to compare two numbers. Extended Ratio: A way to compare three or more numbers. Proportion: An equation that has two ratios equal to each other. Scale: A ratio that relates the dimensions in a drawing to the actual dimensions of an object.

Using Ratios and Proportions

A ratio can be written in three ways (y 0): 1. 2. x:y 3. x to y

Scale
Ratios and proportions are used in maps and scale drawings.

In a scale drawing, the drawing has the same shape but different size as the object it represents. Similarly, a map accurately represents real-life distances at a more convenient size.

Ratios are usually written in simplest form. It is easier to simplify ratios in fraction form. Ratios with the same simplified form are equivalent.

Example: 7:14 and 1:2 are equivalent ratios. The numerator and denominator must have the same units before simplifying - multiply by a conversion factor if needed. Example of conversion factor:

Simplified ratios should not have units.

Maps and scale drawings typically have a scale that relates the dimensions in a drawing to the actual dimensions.

Scale = Drawing dimension:actual dimension A scale can have units (e.g. 1 cm to 1 km) or be simplified to not have units (e.g. ).

An extended ratio of three numbers is written as x:y:z. The order of the numbers in a ratio matter! A proportion relates two equivalent ratios: b and d 0 There are four parts to the proportion (a, b, c, d): b, c are called the means ,

Using the scale, a proportion can be set up to find the actual dimensions.

Actual dimension = Scale drawing dimension Never assume diagrams are drawn to scale - rely on measurements and markings in the diagram.

a, d are called the extremes

Cross-Multiplication
Cross-Multiplication Theorem: If , where a, b, c, and d are real numbers and b and d are not equal to 0, then the product of the extremes equals the product of the means: ad = bc.

Corollaries
Disclaimer: this study guide was not created to replace your textbook and is for classroom or individual use only.

The following manipulations of a proportion will still make it true:

Swapping the means: If a, b, c, and d are nonzero and Swapping the extremes: If a, b, c, and d are nonzero and

, then , then

. . , then .

Taking the reciprocal (flipping it upside down): If a, b, c, and d are nonzero and If a, b, c, and d are nonzero and If a, b, c, and d are nonzero and , then , then . .

This guide was created by Nicole Crawford, Jane Li, Amy Shen, and Zachary Wilson. To learn more about the student authors, visit http://www.ck12.org/ about/about-us/team/interns.

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