Aptitude :: 

Ratio and Proportion

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1. Ratio:

The ratio of two quantities a and b in the same units, is the fraction   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.

Eg. The ratio 5 : 9 5

with antecedent = 5, consequent = 9.
represents 9
Rule: The multiplication or division of each term of a ratio by the same non-zero number
does not affect the ratio.

Eg. 4 : 5 = 8 : 10 = 12 : 15. 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. Fourth Proportional:

If a : b = c : d, then d is called the fourth proportional to a, b, c.

Third Proportional:

a : b = c : d, then c is called the third proportion to a and b.

Mean Proportional:

Mean proportional between a and b is ab.

4. Comparison of Ratios:

a c
We say that (a : b) > (c : d)       > .
b d
5. Compounded Ratio:
 6. The compounded ratio of the ratios: (a : b), (c : d), (e : f) is (ace : bdf).
7. Duplicate Ratios:

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

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

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

Sub-triplicate ratio of (a : b) is (a1/3 : b1/3).

a +  c + 
I a
= c , then b = d .     [componendo and dividendo]
f
b d a - b c - d
8. Variations:

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

We say that x is inversely proportional to y, if xy = k for some constant k and

1
we write, x  .
y

1. 
A and B together have Rs. 1210. If   of A's amount is equal to   of B's amount, how much
amount does B have?
Rs.
A. Rs. 460 B.
484

C. Rs. 550 D. Rs. 664

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option B

Explanation:

4 2
A = B
15 5
2 15
 A = x
5 4
B
3
 A = B
2
A 3
=
B 2
 A : B = 3 : 2.

1210 x 2 = Rs. 484.

 5
 B's share = Rs.

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2.  Two numbers are respectively 20% and 50% more than a third number. The ratio of the two
numbers is:

A. 2:5 B. 3:5

C. 4:5 D. 6:7

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

Let the third number be x.

120 6
Then, first number = 120% of x = x = x
100 5
150 3
Second number = 150% of x = x = x
100 2
6 3
 Ratio of first two numbers = x : x = 12x : 15x = 4 : 5.
5 2
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3.  A sum of money is to be distributed among A, B, C, D in the proportion of 5 : 2 : 4 : 3. If C gets

Rs. 1000 more than D, what is B's share?

A. Rs. 500 B. Rs. 1500

C. Rs. 2000 D. None of these

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

Let the shares of A, B, C and D be Rs. 5x, Rs. 2x, Rs. 4x and Rs. 3x respectively.

Then, 4x - 3x = 1000

 x = 1000.
  B's share = Rs. 2x = Rs. (2 x 1000) = Rs. 2000.

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4.  Seats for Mathematics, Physics and Biology in a school are in the ratio 5 : 7 : 8. There is a
proposal to increase these seats by 40%, 50% and 75% respectively. What will be the ratio of
increased seats?
2:3:
A. B. 6:7:8
4

C. 6:8:9 D. None of these

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option A

Explanation:

Originally, let the number of seats for Mathematics, Physics and Biology be 5x, 7xand
8x respectively.

Number of increased seats are (140% of 5x), (150% of 7x) and (175% of 8x).

140 x 150 x 175 x

, and
100 5x 100 7x 100 8x
21
 7x, x and 14x.
2
21
 The required ratio = 7x : x :
14x
2
 14x : 21x : 28x

 2 : 3 : 4.

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5.  In a mixture 60 litres, the ratio of milk and water 2 : 1. If the this ratio is to be 1 : 2, then the
quanity of water to be further added is:

A. 20 litres B. 30 litres

C. 40 litres D. 60 litres

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option D
 Explanation:

Quantity of milk 2
60 x
= 3
litres = 40 litres.
Quantity of water in it = (60- 40) litres = 20 litres.

New ratio = 1 : 2

Let quantity of water to be added further be x litres.

40
Then, milk : water
20 .
=
+ x
40 1
Now
20 = 2
,
+ x
 20 + x = 80

 x = 60.

 Quantity of water to be added = 60 litres.

6.  The ratio of the number of boys and girls in a college is 7 : 8. If the percentage increase in the
number of boys and girls be 20% and 10% respectively, what will be the new ratio?

A. 8:9 B. 17 : 18

C. 21 : 22 D. Cannot be determined

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

Originally, let the number of boys and girls in the college be 7x and 8x respectively.

Their increased number is (120% of 7x) and (110% of 8x).

120 x 110 x
and
100 7x 100 8x
42 44
x and x
5 5
42 44
 The required ratio = x : x = 21 : 22.
5 5
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7.  Salaries of Ravi and Sumit are in the ratio 2 : 3. If the salary of each is increased by Rs. 4000, the
new ratio becomes 40 : 57. What is Sumit's salary?

A. Rs. 17,000 B. Rs. 20,000

C. Rs. 25,500 D. Rs. 38,000

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option D

Explanation:

Let the original salaries of Ravi and Sumit be Rs. 2x and Rs. 3x respectively.

Then 2x + 4000 40

=
, 3x + 4000 57
 57(2x + 4000) = 40(3x + 4000)

 6x = 68,000

 3x = 34,000

Sumit's present salary = (3x + 4000) = Rs.(34000 + 4000) = Rs. 38,000.

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8.  If 0.75 : x :: 5 : 8, then x is equal to:

A. 1.12 B. 1.2

C. 1.25 D. 1.30

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option B

Explanation:

6
(x x 5) = (0.75 x 8)     x = = 1.20
5
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9.  The sum of three numbers is 98. If the ratio of the first to second is 2 :3 and that of the second to
the third is 5 : 8, then the second number is:

A. 20 B. 30
 C. 48 D. 58

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option B

Explanation:

Let the three parts be A, B, C. Then,

A : B = 2 : 3 and B : C = 5 : 8 3 3 = 24
5x : 8x
= 5 5 3: 5
24
 A : B : C = 2 : 3 : = 10 : 15 : 24
5
15
 B = 98 x = 30.
49
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10. 
If Rs. 782 be divided into three parts, proportional to   :   :  , then the first part is:

A. Rs. 182 B. Rs. 190

Rs.
C. Rs. 196 D. 204
Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option D

Explanation:

Given ratio =   :   :   = 6 : 8 : 9.

782 6
 1st part = Rs. = Rs. 204
x 23
11.  The salaries A, B, C are in the ratio 2 : 3 : 5. If the increments of 15%, 10% and 20% are allowed
respectively in their salaries, then what will be new ratio of their salaries?

A. 3 : 3 : 10 B. 10 : 11 : 20

C. 23 : 33 : 60 D. Cannot be determined

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option C

Explanation:
 Let A = 2k, B = 3k and C = 5k.

23
x
A's new salary = 115 of 2k = 115 = k
2k
100 100 10
33
x
B's new salary = 110 of 3k = 110 = k
3k
100 100 10
C's new salary 120 120 x =
of 5k =
= 100 100 5k 6k
23 33
 New ratio k : k :
= 23 : 33 : 60
6k
10 10
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12.  If 40% of a number is equal to two-third of another number, what is the ratio of first number to
the second number?

A. 2:5 B. 3:7

C. 5:3 D. 7:3

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

Let 40% of A 2
B
= 3
Then 40A 2B
=
, 100 3
2A 2B
=
5 3
A 2 5 5
= x =
B 3 2 3
 A : B = 5 : 3.

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13.  The fourth proportional to 5, 8, 15 is:

A. 18 B. 24

C. 19 D. 20

Answer & Explanation

 Answer: Option B

Explanation:

Let the fourth proportional to 5, 8, 15 be x.

Then, 5 : 8 : 15 : x

 5x = (8 x 15)

(8 x 15)
x = = 24.
5
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14.  Two number are in the ratio 3 : 5. If 9 is subtracted from each, the new numbers are in the ratio
12 : 23. The smaller number is:

A. 27 B. 33

C. 49 D. 55

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option B

Explanation:

Let the numbers be 3x and 5x.

Then 3x - 9 12
=
, 5x - 9 23
 23(3x - 9) = 12(5x - 9)

 9x = 99

 x = 11.

 The smaller number = (3 x 11) = 33.

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15.  In a bag, there are coins of 25 p, 10 p and 5 p in the ratio of 1 : 2 : 3. If there is Rs. 30 in all,
how many 5 p coins are there?

A. 50 B. 100

C. 150 D. 200
Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

Let the number of 25 p, 10 p and 5 p coins be x, 2x, 3x respectively.

25 10 x 5x 60
Then, sum of their values = x + 2x =
+ 3x x
Rs. Rs.
100 100 100 100
60
x = 30      x = 30 x 100 = 50.
100 60
Hence, the number of 5 p coins = (3 x 50) = 150.