Ratios and Proportions Questions

FACTS  AND  FORMULAE  FOR  RATIO  AND  PROPORTION  QUESTIONS

 

 

1. RATIO: The ratio of two quantities a and b in the same units, is the fraction a/b and we write it as a:b.

In the ratio a:b, we call a as the first term or antecedent and b, the second term or consequent.

Ex. The ratio 5: 9 represents 5/9 with antecedent = 5, consequent = 9.

Rule: The multiplication or division of each term of a ratio by the same non-zero number does not affect the ratio. Ex. 4: 5 = 8: 10 = 12: 15 etc. Also, 4: 6 = 2: 3.

 

2. PROPORTION : The equality of two ratios is called proportion

If a: b = c: d, we write, a: b :: c : d and we say that a, b, c, d are in proportion . Here a and d are called extremes, while b and c are called mean terms.

Product of means = Product of extremes.

Thus, a: b :: c : d <=> (b x c) = (a x d).

 

 3(i) Fourth Proportional : If a : b = c: d, then d is called the fourth proportional to a, b, c.

     (ii) Third Proportional : If a: b = b: c, then c is called the third proportional to a and b.

     (iii) Mean Proportional : Mean proportional between a and b is ab

 

 4. (i) COMPARISON OF RATIOS : We say that (a: b) > (c: d)  (a/b)>(c /d).

     (ii) COMPOUNDED RATIO : The compounded ratio of the ratios (a: b), (c: d), (e : f)  is    (ace: bdf)

 

5. (i) Duplicate ratio of (a : b) is a2:b2.

    (ii) Sub-duplicate ratio of (a : b) is (√a : √b).

    (iii)Triplicate ratio of (a : b) is a3:b3.

    (iv) Sub-triplicate ratio of (a : b) is a13: b13.

    (V) If ab=cd, thena+ba-b=c+dc-d (Componendo and dividendo)

 

 6. VARIATION:

(i) We say that x is directly proportional to y, if x = ky for some constant k and we write, xy

(ii) We say that x is inversely proportional to y, if xy = k for some constant k and we write, x1y

Q:

A dog takes 3 leaps for every 5 leaps of a hare. If one leap of the dog is equal to 3 leaps of the hare, the ratio of the speed of the dog to that of the hare is :

A) 9:5 B) 2:3
C) 4:7 D) 5:6
 
Answer & Explanation Answer: A) 9:5

Explanation:

Dog : Hare = (3*3) leaps of hare : 5 leaps of hare = 9 : 5.

Report Error

View Answer Report Error Discuss

Filed Under: Ratios and Proportions

115 30188
Q:

Alloy A contains 40% gold and 60% silver. Alloy B contains 35% gold and 40% silver and 25% copper. Alloys A and B  are mixed in the ratio of 1:4 .What is the ratio of gold and silver in the newly formed alloy is?

A) 20% and 30% B) 36% and 44%
C) 25% and 35% D) 49% and 36%
 
Answer & Explanation Answer: B) 36% and 44%

Explanation:

Assume the weight of alloy a is 100 kg 

Therefore, The weight of alloy B is 400kg

 

             Gold          silver         copper

 

    A       40kg          60kg          0kg

 

    B      140kg         160kg        100kg

 

  total    180kg          220kg        100kg

 

Therefore, Ratio of gold and silver in new alloy = 180500:200500= 36% :44%

Report Error

View Answer Report Error Discuss

Filed Under: Ratios and Proportions

100 30013
Q:

If 76 is divided into four parts proportional to 7, 5, 3, 4, then the smallest part is:

A) 12 B) 15
C) 16 D) 19
 
Answer & Explanation Answer: A) 12

Explanation:

Given ratio = 7 : 5 : 3 : 4, Sum of ratio terms = 19.

Smallest part =  (76*3/19)  = 12

Report Error

View Answer Report Error Discuss

Filed Under: Ratios and Proportions

73 28788
Q:

If X : Y : Z = 3 : 4 : 5, then what will be the ratio of (X/Y) : (Y/Z) : (Z/X)?

 

A) 5 : 4 : 3 B) 30 : 40 : 27
C) 45 : 48 : 100 D) 20 : 15 : 12
 
Answer & Explanation Answer: C) 45 : 48 : 100

Explanation:
Report Error

View Answer Report Error Discuss

Filed Under: Ratios and Proportions
Exam Prep: Bank Exams

4 28617
Q:

Jo's collection contains US, Indian and British stamps. If the ratio of US to Indian stamps is 5 to 2 and the ratio of Indian to British stamps is 5 to 1, what is the ratio of US to British stamps?

A) 10 : 5 B) 15 : 2
C) 20 : 2 D) 25 : 2
 
Answer & Explanation Answer: D) 25 : 2

Explanation:

Indian stamps are common to both ratios. Multiply both ratios by factors such that the Indian stamps are represented by the same number.

US : Indian = 5 : 2, and Indian : British = 5 : 1. Multiply the first by 5, and the second by 2. 

Now US : Indian = 25 : 10, and Indian : British = 10 : 2

Hence the two ratios can be combined and US : British = 25 : 2

Report Error

View Answer Report Error Discuss

Filed Under: Ratios and Proportions
Exam Prep: GRE

220 27536
Q:

Select the missing number based on the given related pair of numbers.

 

158 : 384 :: 140 : ___

A) 347 B) 346
C) 348 D) 349
 
Answer & Explanation Answer: C) 348

Explanation:
Report Error

View Answer Report Error Discuss

Filed Under: Ratios and Proportions
Exam Prep: Bank Exams

9 26751
Q:

The wages of labourers in a factory increases in the ratio 22:25 and there was a reduction in the number of labourers in the ratio 15:11. Find the original wage bill if the present bill is Rs. 5000 ?

A) Rs. 5500 B) Rs. 6000
C) Rs. 6200 D) Rs. 6350
 
Answer & Explanation Answer: B) Rs. 6000

Explanation:

The wages of labourers in a factory increases in the ratio 22:25 and there was a reduction in the number of labourers in the ratio 15:11. Find the original wage bill if the present bill is Rs 5000 ?
Ratio of increase of wages = 22:25
Ratio of decrease of labourers = 15:11
Compound ratio of wages of labourers = 22 x 15 : 25 x 11 = 330:275
Final bill = Rs. 5000
For 275 ratio wages = Rs. 5000
For 1 ratio wages = 5000/275
For 330 ratio wages = 5000/275 x 330 = Rs. 6000

Report Error

View Answer Report Error Discuss

Filed Under: Ratios and Proportions
Exam Prep: AIEEE , Bank Exams , CAT , GATE , GRE
Job Role: Bank Clerk , Bank PO

69 26559
Q:

If the ratio of the ages of two friends A and B is in the ratio 3 : 5 and that of B and C is 3 : 5 and the sum of their ages is 147, then how old is B?

A) 27 Years B) 75 Years
C) 45 Years D) 49 Years
 
Answer & Explanation Answer: C) 45 Years

Explanation:

The ratio of the ages of A and B is 3 : 5.
The ratio of the ages of B and C is 3 : 5.

B's age is the common link to both these ratio. Therefore, if we make the numerical value of the ratio of B's age in both the ratios same, then we can compare the ages of all 3 in a single ratio.

The can be done by getting the value of B in both ratios to be the LCM of 3 and 5 i.e., 15.

The first ratio between A and B will therefore be 9 : 15 and
the second ratio between B and C will be 15 : 25.

Now combining the two ratios, we get A : B : C = 9 : 15 : 25.

Let their ages be 9x, 15x and 25x.
Then, the sum of their ages will be 9x + 15x + 25x = 49x

The question states that the sum of their ages is 147.
i.e., 49x = 147 or x = 3.

Therefore, B's age = 15x = 15*3 = 45

Report Error

View Answer Report Error Discuss

Filed Under: Ratios and Proportions
Exam Prep: GRE

59 26111