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8.1 Ratio and Proportion

GOAL 1 COMPUTING RATIOS
What you should learn
GOAL 1 Find and simplify If a and b are two quantities that are measured in the same units, then the
the ratio of two numbers.
ratio of a to b is a. The ratio of a to b can also be written as a :b. Because a
GOAL 2 Use proportions to b
solve real-life problems, ratio is a quotient, its denominator cannot be zero.
such as computing the width Ratios are usually expressed in simplified form. For instance, the ratio of 6 :8
of a painting in Example 6. is usually simplified as 3:4.
Why you should learn it
 To solve real-life EXAMPLE 1 Simplifying Ratios
problems, such as using
a scale model to determine Simplify the ratios.
the dimensions of a sculpture
like the baseball glove below 12 cm 6 ft
and the baseball bat in a.  b. 
4m 18 in.
Exs. 51–53. AL LI
FE
RE

SOLUTION
To simplify ratios with unlike units, convert to like units so that the units divide
out. Then simplify the fraction, if possible.

12 cm 12 cm 12 3 6 ft 6 • 12 in. 72 4
a.  =  =  =  b.   =  =  = 
4m 4 • 100 cm 400 100 18 in. 18 in. 18 1

A C T IACTIVITY
V I T Y: D E V E L O P I N G C O N C E P T S

Developing
Concepts Investigating Ratios
1 Use a tape measure to measure the
circumference of the base of your
thumb, the circumference of your wrist,
and the circumference of your neck.
Record the results in a table.
2 Compute the ratio of your wrist
measurement to your thumb measurement.
Then, compute the ratio of your neck
measurement to your wrist measurement.
3 Compare the two ratios.
4 Compare your ratios to those of others
in the class.
5 Does it matter whether you record your measurements
all in inches or all in centimeters? Explain.

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STUDENT HELP EXAMPLE 2 Using Ratios

Look Back
For help with perimeter, The perimeter of rectangle ABCD is 60 centimeters. The D C
see p. 51. ratio of AB:BC is 3:2. Find the length and width of the w
rectangle.
A L B
SOLUTION
Because the ratio of AB:BC is 3:2, you can represent the length AB as 3x and the
width BC as 2x.
2l + 2w = P Formula for perimeter of rectangle

2(3x) + 2(2x) = 60 Substitute for ¬, w, and P.

6x + 4x = 60 Multiply.

10x = 60 Combine like terms.

x=6 Divide each side by 10.

 So, ABCD has a length of 18 centimeters and a width of 12 centimeters.

EXAMPLE 3 Using Extended Ratios

xy
Using The measure of the angles in ¤JKL are in the extended K
Algebra ratio of 1:2:3. Find the measures of the angles. 2x 

SOLUTION x 3x 
J L
Begin by sketching a triangle. Then use the extended
ratio of 1:2:3 to label the measures of the angles as x°, 2x°, and 3x°.
x° + 2x° + 3x° = 180° Triangle Sum Theorem

6x = 180 Combine like terms.

x = 30 Divide each side by 6.

 So, the angle measures are 30°, 2(30°) = 60°, and 3(30°) = 90°.

EXAMPLE 4 Using Ratios

Logical The ratios of the side lengths of ¤DEF to the C

Reasoning corresponding side lengths of ¤ABC are 2:1. 3 in.
F
Find the unknown lengths.
A B
SOLUTION
1
• DE is twice AB and DE = 8, so AB =  (8) = 4.
2
STUDENT HELP • Using the Pythagorean Theorem, you can D 8 in. E
determine that BC = 5.
Look Back
For help with the • DF is twice AC and AC = 3, so DF = 2(3) = 6.
Pythagorean Theorem,
see p. 20.
• EF is twice BC and BC = 5, so EF = 2(5) = 10.

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GOAL 2 USING PROPORTIONS

An equation that equates two ratios is a proportion. For instance, if the ratio
a c
 is equal to the ratio , then the following proportion can be written:
b d
Means Extremes
a c
Means  =  Extremes
b d
The numbers a and d are the extremes of the proportion. The numbers b and c
are the means of the proportion.

P R O P E RT I E S O F P R O P O RT I O N S

1. CROSS PRODUCT PROPERTY The product of the extremes equals the

product of the means.
a c
If  =  , then ad = bc.
b d
STUDENT HELP 2. RECIPROCAL PROPERTY If two ratios are equal, then their reciprocals
Skills Review are also equal.
For help with reciprocals, a c b d
If  =  , then  =  .
see p. 788. b d a c

To solve the proportion you find the value of the variable.

EXAMPLE 5 Solving Proportions

xy
Using Solve the proportions.
Algebra
4 5 3 2
a.  =  b.  = 
x 7 y+2 y

SOLUTION
4 5
a.  =  Write original proportion.
x 7
x 7
 =  Reciprocal property
4 5

 75 
x = 4  Multiply each side by 4.

28
x =  Simplify.
5

3 2
b.  =  Write original proportion.
y+2 y
3y = 2( y + 2) Cross product property

3y = 2y + 4 Distributive property

y=4 Subtract 2y from each side.

 The solution is 4. Check this by substituting in the original proportion.

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EXAMPLE 6 Solving a Proportion

L
AL I

FE
PAINTING The photo shows Bev Dolittle’s painting Music in the Wind.

RE
Her actual painting is 12 inches high. How wide is it?

1}} in.
1
4

3
4 in.
8
SOLUTION
You can reason that in the photograph all measurements of the artist’s painting
have been reduced by the same ratio. That is, the ratio of the actual width to the
reduced width is equal to the ratio of the actual height to the reduced height.
1 3
The photograph is 1 inches by 4 inches.
4 8
PROBLEM
SOLVING VERBAL Width of painting Height of painting
STRATEGY MODEL  = 
Width of photo Height of photo

LABELS Width of painting = x Height of painting = 12 (inches)

Width of photo = 4.375 Height of photo = 1.25 (inches)

REASONING x 12
 =  Substitute.
4.375 1.25
 12 
x = 4.375  
1.25
Multiply each side by 4.375.

x = 42 Use a calculator.

 So, the actual painting is 42 inches wide.

EXAMPLE 7 Solving a Proportion

Estimate the length of the hidden flute in Bev Doolittle’s actual painting.

SOLUTION
7
In the photo, the flute is about 1 inches long. Using the reasoning from above
8
you can say that:
Length of flute in painting Height of painting
 = .
Length of flute in photo Height of photo
ƒ 12
 =  Substitute.
1.875 1.25
ƒ = 18 Multiply each side by 1.875 and simplify.

 So, the flute is about 18 inches long in the painting.

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GUIDED PRACTICE
Vocabulary Check ✓ r
s
p
1. In the proportion  = , the variables s and p are the 
q
?
 of the
proportion and r and q are the ?
 of the proportion.
Concept Check ✓ ERROR ANALYSIS In Exercises 2 and 3, find and correct the errors.
2. 3.
A table is 18 inches wide 10 4
and 3 feet long. The ratio  = 
x + 6 x
of length to width is 1 : 6. 10x = 4x + 6
6x = 6
x=1

Skill Check ✓ Given that the track team won 8 meets and lost 2, find the ratios.
4. What is the ratio of wins to losses? What is the ratio of losses to wins?
5. What is the ratio of wins to the total number of track meets?

In Exercises 6–8, solve the proportion.

2 3 5 6 2 4
6.  =  7.  =  8.  = 
x 9 8 z b+3 b
9. The ratio BC:DC is 2:9. Find the value of x.
A B

D 27 C

PRACTICE AND APPLICATIONS

STUDENT HELP SIMPLIFYING RATIOS Simplify the ratio.
Extra Practice 16 students 48 marbles 22 feet 6 meters
to help you master
10.  11.  12.  13. 
24 students 8 marbles 52 feet 9 meters
skills is on p. 817.
WRITING RATIOS Find the width to length ratio of each rectangle. Then
simplify the ratio.
14. 15. 16.
12 in.
16 mm 10 cm
2 ft
7.5 cm
STUDENT HELP 20 mm
HOMEWORK HELP CONVERTING UNITS Rewrite the fraction so that the numerator and
Example 1: Exs. 10–24 denominator have the same units. Then simplify.
Example 2: Exs. 29, 30
3 ft 60 cm 350 g 2 mi
Example 3: Exs. 31, 32 17.  18.  19.  20. 
Example 4: Exs. 57, 58 12 in. 1m 1 kg 3000 ft
continued on p. 462 6 yd 2 lb 400 m 20 oz
21.  22.  23.  24. 
10 ft 20 oz 0.5 km 4 lb

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STUDENT HELP FINDING RATIOS Use the number line to find the ratio of the distances.
HOMEWORK HELP A B C D E F
continued from p. 461
Example 5: Exs. 33–44 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Example 6: Exs. 48–53,
59–61 AB BD BF CF
Example 7: Exs. 48–53, 25.  = 
?
 26.  = 
?
 27.  = 
?
 28.  = 
?
CD CF AD AB
59–61
29. The perimeter of a rectangle is 84 feet. The ratio of the width to the length is
2:5. Find the length and the width.
30. The area of a rectangle is 108 cm2. The ratio of the width to the length is
3:4. Find the length and the width.
31. The measures of the angles in a triangle are in the extended ratio of 1:4:7.
Find the measures of the angles.
32. The measures of the angles in a triangle are in the extended ratio of 2:15:19.
Find the measures of the angles.
SOLVING PROPORTIONS Solve the proportion.
x 5 y 9 7 10
33.  =  34.  =  35.  = 
4 7 8 10 z 25
4 10 30 14 16 d
36.  =  37.  =  38.  = 
b 3 5 c 3 6
5 4 4 8 7 3
39.  =  40.  =  41.  = 
x+3 x yº3 y 2z + 5 z
3x º 8 2x 5y º 8 5y 4 10
42.  =  43.  =  44.  = 
6 10 7 6 2z + 6 7z º 2

USING PROPORTIONS In Exercises 45–47, the ratio of the width to the

length for each rectangle is given. Solve for the variable.
45. AB:BC is 3:8. 46. EF:FG is 4 :5. 47. JK :KL is 2 :3.
D C H E M J

FOCUS ON x y7 12
APPLICATIONS

A 6 B G 40 F L z3 K

SCIENCE CONNECTION Use the following information.

The table gives the ratios of the gravity of four different planets to the gravity of
Earth. Round your answers to the nearest whole number.
Planet Venus Mars Jupiter Pluto
9 38 236 7
L
AL I
MOON’S GRAVITY
Ratio of gravity    
FE

10 100 100 100

RE

Neil Armstrong’s
space suit weighed about 48. Which of the planets listed above has a gravity closest to the gravity of Earth?
185 pounds on Earth and
just over 30 pounds on the 49. Estimate how much a person who weighs 140 pounds on Earth would weigh
moon, due to the weaker on Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Pluto.
force of gravity.
NE
ER T
50. If a person weighed 46 pounds on Mars, estimate how much he or she would
INT

APPLICATION LINK
www.mcdougallittell.com weigh on Earth.

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BASEBALL BAT SCULPTURE A huge, free-standing baseball bat

sculpture stands outside a sports museum in Louisville, Kentucky. It was
patterned after Babe Ruth’s 35 inch bat. The sculpture is 120 feet long.
Round your answers to the nearest tenth of an inch.
51. How long is the sculpture in inches?
52. The diameter of the sculpture near the base is
9 feet. Estimate the corresponding diameter of
Babe Ruth’s bat.
53. The diameter of the handle of the sculpture is
3.5 feet. Estimate the diameter of the handle of
Babe Ruth’s bat.

USING PROPORTIONS In Exercises 54–56, the ratio of two side lengths of

the triangle is given. Solve for the variable.
54. PQ:QR is 3:4. 55. SU:ST is 4 :1. 56. WX:XV is 5 :7.

P T V
m
j
2k
U 3m  6 S
R 24 q
W k2 X

STUDENT HELP PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM The ratios of the side lengths of ¤PQR to the
NE
ER T
HOMEWORK HELP
corresponding side lengths of ¤STU are 1:3. Find the unknown lengths.
INT

Visit our Web site 57. 58.

P q R
www.mcdougallittell.com S S
5
for help with problem 10 P
solving in Exs. 57 and 58. R q 9

U T
U 36 T

GULLIVER’S TRAVELS In Exercises 59–61, use the following information.

Gulliver’s Travels was written by Jonathan Swift in
1726. In the story, Gulliver is shipwrecked and
wanders ashore to the island of Lilliput. The
average height of the people in Lilliput is 6 inches.
59. Gulliver is 6 feet tall. What is the ratio of his
height to the average height of a Lilliputian?
60. After leaving Lilliput, Gulliver visits the island
of Brobdingnag. The ratio of the average height
of these natives to Gulliver’s height is
proportional to the ratio of Gulliver’s height to
the average height of a Lilliputian. What is the
average height of a Brobdingnagian?
61. What is the ratio of the average height of
a Brobdingnagian to the average height of
a Lilliputian?

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xy USING ALGEBRA You are given an extended ratio that compares the
lengths of the sides of the triangle. Find the lengths of all unknown sides.
62. BC :AC :AB is 3:4:5. 63. DE:EF:DF is 4:5:6. 64. GH:HR:GR is 5:5:6.
B E R b3 G
x2 6 16 y
b b
A x C D y4 F
H

Test 65. MULTIPLE CHOICE For planting roses, a gardener uses a special mixture of
Preparation soil that contains sand, peat moss, and compost in the ratio 2:5:3. How many
pounds of compost does she need to add if she uses three 10 pound bags of
peat moss?
¡
A 12 ¡
B 14 ¡
C 15 ¡
D 18 ¡
E 20
66. MULTIPLE CHOICE If the measures of the angles of a triangle have the ratio
2:3:7, the triangle is
¡
A acute. ¡
B right. ¡
C isosceles.
¡
D obtuse. ¡
E equilateral.
★ Challenge 67. FINDING SEGMENT LENGTHS Suppose the points B and C lie on AD. What
Æ

Æ AB 2 CD 1
is the length of AC if  = ,  = , and BD = 24?
BD 3 AC 9

MIXED REVIEW
FINDING UNKNOWN MEASURES Use the figure shown, in which
¤STU £ ¤XWV. (Review 4.2)
68. What is the measure of ™X? S U
20
69. What is the measure of ™V? W
65
70. What is the measure of ™T?
71. What is the measure of ™U? T
Æ V X
72. Which side is congruent to TU?

FINDING COORDINATES Find the coordinates of the endpoints of each

midsegment shown in red. (Review 5.4 for 8.2)
73. y 74. y 75.
A(1, 5) P (1, 1)

J(2, 3) K(1, 4)
x

x
C (2, 1) B (3, 1) œ (6, 4) L(2, 2)
x R (1, 5)

Æ
76. A line segment has endpoints A(1, º3) and B(6, º7). Graph AB and its
Æ Æ
image A§B§ if AB is reflected in the line x = 2. (Review 7.2)

464 Chapter 8 Similarity