MODULE 1

Ratio, Proportion and

Variation
Contents:

Characteristics of Ratio, Different types of

Ratios, Proportion, Characteristics of
Proportion, Types of Proportion,
Difference Between Ratio and Proportion,
variation, direct variation, inverse
variation, joint and combined variation,
Time and Work, Time and Distance and
Mixtures.
 Ratio

Ratios are the comparison of two quantities or more quantities

(having the same units) that we express as a fraction.

They are typically used when you are comparing two things —
like cost of one pair of shoes to another pair, or maybe even
the number of shirts you have compared to the number of
jeans you have.
 Need of ratios for you!!

1. Hair is it animal or human?

Calculate the ratio of the diameter of the medulla (middle,
pigmented section of the hair) to the diameter of the entire
hair. Animal hair exhibits a ratio of .5 or higher. A ratio less
than .5 would be considered to be a human hair.
 Symbol ‘:’ is used to denote ratio.

 For a ratio, the two quantities must be in the same

unit.

 If they are not, they should be expressed in the same

unit before the ratio is taken.

 A ratio may be treated as a fraction.

 Two ratios are equivalent, if the fractions

corresponding to them are equivalent.
 Example:

 The ratio of Rs 9 to 90 paisa is 10: 1

 The length and breadth of a steel tape are 10m

and 2.4cm, respectively.
The ratio of the length to the breadth is 1250: 3
 For ratios written as a : b, the first term i.e. a is known
as the antecedent and the second term i.e. b is known
as the consequent.

 The order of the terms in ratios is very important i.e.

the positions of antecedent and consequent are not
interchangeable.

 If more than one like quantities are expressed in a ratio

format, the resultant is termed as a Continued Ratios or
a Compassion between the quantities. It can simply be
represented as a : b : c : d…
 Characteristics of Ratio

1. Absolute Point Zero – Ratio data is measured on a 

ratio scale. One of the distinctive characteristics of ratio data
is the true absolute zero point, which makes the data relevant
and meaningful in a manner where it is right to say, “one
object is twice as long as the other” or 4 has twice the value
as 2. 

2. No Negative Numerical Value – Ratio data doesn’t have

any negative numerical value. For a value to be a ratio data
researcher, first must evaluate if it meets all the criteria of
interval data and has an absolute zero point. For example,
weight cannot be negative, -20 Kgs doesn’t exist.

3. Calculation – Ratio data values can be added, subtracted,

divided, and multiplied.
Types of Ratio:
1. Unit ratio
A unit ratio or a ratio of equality one in which both the

terms are equal. a:a

Eg: 2:2
2. Ratio of greater inequality
A ratio of greater inequality is one in which the
value of the antecedent term is greater than value of
its consequent term.
Eg: 5:3

3. Ratio of lesser inequality

A ratio of lesser inequality is one in which the value of
the antecedent term is less than the value of its
consequent term.
Eg: 4:9
4. Inverse ratio
An inverse ratio is obtained by interchanging the
antecedent and the consequent terms in a given ratio. This
ratio is also called, ‘Reciprocal ratio’.
Inverse ratio of a:b is b:a

5. Compound ratio
A compound ratio is obtained by multiplying the
antecedent terms, and the consequent terms with the
consequent terms of the given ratios.
Consider two known ratios – a : b and c : d.
Then the Compound Ratio of the two mentioned ratios is
ac : bd.

6. Duplicate ratio
A duplicate ratio is obtained by squaring up the
respective terms of a given ratio.
Duplicate ratio of a:b is a2 : b2
7. Sub-duplicate ratio
A Sub-duplicate ratio is obtained by taking the square
roots of the respective terms of a given ratio
A Sub-Duplicate ratio of a : b as √a : √b.

8. Triplicate ratio
A triplicate ratio is one which is obtained by taking
cubes of respective terms of a ratio.
Triplicate ratio of a:b is a3 : b3

9. Sub –triplicate ratio

A sub-triplicate ratio is obtained by taking the cube
roots of the respective terms of a ratio.
A Sub-Triplicate ratio of a : b as : .
10. Continued ratio
A continued ratio is obtained by taking the relation
between the magnitudes of three or more quantities of
the same kind.
Qn: Find the ratio compounded of 4 : 9, the duplicate
ratio of 3 : 4, the triplicate ratio of 2 : 3, and 9 : 7 .

Solution: We need to compound four different ratios

here –
4:9
32 : 42 = 9 : 16
23 : 33 = 8 : 27
9:7
By the definition of the compounded ratios, the final
result would be –
4×9×8×9:9×16×27×7
=2 : 21

Thus, the required ratio is 2 : 21.

Qn: What number do we need to subtract from each of the
terms in the ratio 19:31 to reduce it to the ratio 1 : 4?

Solution: Let the required number be x.

19–x : 31–x=1:4

=
 
4×(19–x)=1×(31–x)

76–4x=31–x

45=3x

x=15
Qn: Income of Ram is Rs.12000 per month and that of
Kamal is Rs.191520 per annum. If the monthly expenditure
of each of them is Rs.9960 per month find the ratio of their
savings.

Solution:
Monthly income of Ram = Rs.12000
Monthly income of Kamal = Rs.191520/12 = Rs.15960
Monthly savings of Ram = Rs.12000 – Rs.9960 = Rs.2040
Monthly savings of Kamal = Rs.15960 – Rs.9960 =
Rs.6000
Ratio of savings = 2040: 6000 = 17: 50
Qn: The age of mother is thrice that of her daughter. After 12
years, the age of the mother will be twice that of her daughter.
What is the present age of the daughter and mother?

Solution:
Let Daughter’s age = x
Mother’s age y = 3x

After 12 years, mother’s age = 3x+12

3x+12 = 2(x+12)
3x+12 = 2x+24
x = 12

Therefore, daughter’s present age is 12 and mother’s age is 36.

Qn: In a bag of red and green balls, the ratios of red ball
to green ball are 3:4. If the bag contains 120 green
balls, how many red balls are there?

Therefore, the bag contains 90 red balls.

A special mixture contains rice and corn in the ratio of 2:6.
If a bag contains 3 pounds of rice, how much corn it
contains?

Therefore, the mixture contains 9 pounds of corn.

Qn: If Rs 782 is to be divided in the ratio 6 : 8 : 9,
then what value would the first share correspond to?

Solution:
 Consider a unit share to be equivalent to Rs x.
Then the first share would be equivalent to Rs 6x.
The second share ⇒ 8x.
The third share ⇒ 9x.
the sum of all shares should be equal to the total amount.
Thus –
6x+8x+9x=782
23x=782
x=34
Clearly then, the value of the first share ⇒ Rs 34*6 ⇒ Rs
204
Qn. If ratio of ages of son and father is 1 : 3 and 12 years back

1 : 7, what are their ages?

18,54
Find the ratio of A:B:C
Proportions
A proportion is an equation stating that two ratios are
equal.
The equality of two ratios (fractions) is called proportion.

A proportion is a set of 2 fractions that equal each other.

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∗c)=(a∗d)
 Types of
Proportion:
1. Simple Proportion:

When the number of related terms remains within four it is a

case of simple proportion.
the examples of such a proportion are :
a : b : : c : d, and
3 : 4 : : 9 : 12.

2. Compound proportion:

When the number of related terms exceeds four, it is a case of

compound proportion.
The example of such a proportion are :
(i) a : b : : c : d : : e : f
(ii) 2 : 3 : : 8 : 12 : : 6 : 9
3. Continued Proportion

Three quantities are said to be in continued proportion

if the ratio of the first to the second is equal to the
ratio of the second and third.
a, b and c are said to be in continued proportion if
a:b=b:c
if =, then b2 = ac
Example:
4. Direct proportion

In direct proportion as one value increases and the other

value also increases. Similarly, as one value decreases and
the other value also decreases.

5. Indirect (Inverse) proportion

In indirect proportion as one values increases and the other

values decreases.
The examples of inverse proportion are:
Example: Find the third proportional to 9 and 15.

Solution:

The third proportional to 9 and 15 means the fourth

proportional to 9, 15 and 15.
Let the fourth proportional be x.
9: 15 =15: x
9/15= 15/x
9x = 225
x = 25
Thus, 25 is the third proportional to 9 and 15.
Examples:
 3.2

14
Question: 16 men or 28 women can do a piece of work in 40
days. In how many days will 24 men and 14 women complete the
same work?
Solution: 16 men = 28 women
24 men = = 42 women

No. of workers (women) No: of days

28 40
14+42 = 56 x

x = 20 days
Question: 12 men or 20 women working 10 hours a day can finish a
piece of work in 35 days. In how many days 12 men and 20 women
can do the same work by working 7 hours a day?

Solution: 12 men = 20 women

No: of women Working hrs No: of days

20 10 35

12 m+20w
=20w+20w=40w 7 x

x =

x = 25 days
 Qn: Two friends A and B started a business with initial
capital contribution of Rs. 1 lac and Rs. 2 lakhs. At the
end of the year, the business made a profit of Rs.
30,000. Find the share of each in the profit

Solution : We know that if the time period of investment

is same, profit/loss is divided in the ratio of value of
investment.
=> Ratio of value of investment of A and B
= 1,00,000 : 2,00,000
=1:2

=> Ratio of share in profit = 1 : 2

=> Share of A in profit = (1/3) x 30,000 = Rs. 10,000

=> Share of B in profit = (2/3) x 30,000 = Rs. 20,000

Questions:
1. A car can travel 240 km in 15 litres of petrol. How much distance
will it travel in 25 litres of petrol? Ans: 400 km
2. The yield of wheat from 8 hectares of land is 360 quintals. Find
the hectares of land required for a yield of 540 quintals? Ans:12
hectares
3. In an election, the vote cast for two of the candidates were in the
ratio 5:7. If the successful candidates received 20734 votes, how
many votes did his opponent receive? Ans:14810
4. Divide Rs.3000 among P,Q,R in the ratio 2:3:5.
Ans:600,900,1500
5. Divide $260 among A,B,C in the ratio ::. Ans: 120,80,60
6. The ratio of width and length of a carpet is 10:7. If the difference
between the width and length is 9 feet, find the length and width
of the carpet. Ans: 21, 30
7. The ratio of the sides of two squares is 2:5. Find the
ratio of their areas. Ans: 4:25
8. The ratio between the ages of A and B is 6:5 and the sum
of their ages is 44 years. Find the ratio of their ages
after 8 years. Ans: 8:7
9. Find the number x so that 14,16,35,x are in proportion.
Ans: 40
10. Are the numbers 4,6 and 9 in continued proportion?yes
11. Are the numbers 2,4,8 and 16 in continued
proportion? yes
12. Are the numbers 2,4,6 in continued proportion? no
13. If k,8,16 are in continued proportion, then find k. Ans:4
14. Quantities m,2,10 and n are in continued
proportion. Find m and n. Ans: 0.4,50
15. If 16 men working 7 hours day can plough a
field in 48 days, in how many days will 14 men
working 12 hours a day plough the same field?
Ans: 32 days
https://www.competoid.com/answers/3081/1/
Ratio_and_Proportions/
https://www.competoid.com/answers/3087/1/
Time_and_work/
 Mixture and Alligation:

Alligation is an important area of quantitative aptitude for various

competitive exams. The rule of alligation enables us to find the
ratio in which two or more ingredients at the given price must be
mixed to produce a mixture of a desired price. This technique can
be applied to any topic like mixtures, profit & loss, simple
interest, time & distance, percentage, etc.
Rule of Alligation

Alligation is a rule that enables us to find the ratio in which two or

more ingredients at the given price must be mixed to produce a
mixture of desired price. There are two types of methods used in
alligation.
Alligation Method 1:
It is a modified form of finding the weighted average. If 2
ingredients are mixed in a ratio and the cost price of the unit
quantity of the mixture, called the Mean Price is given then,
2. In what ratio must a grocer mix two types of rice costing Rs.7.50
per kg and Rs.10 per kg, respectively, so as to get a mixture worth
Rs.8.25 per kg?

Ans: 7:3
3. In what proportion must a grocer mix wheat at Rs.2.04 per kg
and Rs.2.88 per kg so as to make a mixture of worth Rs.2.52
per kg?

Ans:3:4
Alligation Method 2: Repeated Dilution

This is used to calculate pure quantity left after 'n' number of

processes of repeated replacement is done on the pure quantity.
Suppose, a container contains 'x' units of a liquid from which 'y'
units are taken out and replaced by water. After 'n' operations
quantity of pure
Example 1: A container contains 50 litres of milk. From
this container, 10 litres of milk was taken out and
replaced by water. This process is repeated one more
time.
How much milk is now left in the container?
2. From the 40 litres solution of pure milk, 5 litres of milk is
replaced with equal quality of water. Again 5 litres of the
mixture is substituted with 5 litres of water. This operation is
repeated one more time. Find the volume of milk in the final
solution.