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Ratios, Proportions and 
Similar Figures 
Ratios, proportions and scale 
drawings
There are many uses of ratios and proportions. 
We use them in map reading, making scale 
drawings and models, solving problems.
The most recognizable use of ratios and 
proportions is drawing models and plans for 
construction. Scales must be used to 
approximate what the actual object will be 
like.
A ratio is a comparison of two quantities by 
division. In the rectangles below, the ratio of 
shaded area to unshaded area is 1:2, 2:4, 3:6, 
and 4:8. All the rectangles have equivalent 
shaded areas. Ratios that make the same 
comparison are equivalent ratios.
Using ratios 
The ratio of faculty members to 
students in one school is 1:15. 
There are 675 students. How 
many faculty members are 
there? 
faculty 1 
students 15 
1 x 
15 = 
675 
15x = 675 
x = 45 faculty
A ratio of one number 
to another number is 
the quotient of the 
first number divided 
by the second. (As long as 
the second number ≠ 0)
A ratio can be written in a variety of ways. 
You can use ratios to compare quantities or describe 
rates. Proportions are used in many fields, 
including construction, photography, and medicine. 
a:b a/b a to b
Since ratios that make the same comparison 
are equivalent ratios, they all reduce to the 
same value. 
2 3 1 
= = 
10 15 5
Proportions 
Two ratios that are equal
A proportion is an equation that states that 
two ratios are equal, such as:
In simple proportions, all you need to do is 
examine the fractions. If the fractions both 
reduce to the same value, the proportion is 
true. 
This is a true proportion, since both fractions 
reduce to 1/3. 
5 2 
= 
15 6
In simple proportions, you can use this same 
approach when solving for a missing part of a 
proportion. Remember that both fractions 
must reduce to the same value. 
To determine the 
unknown value you 
must cross multiply. 
(3)(x) = (2)(9) 
3x = 18 
x = 6 
Check your proportion 
(3)(x) = (2)(9) 
(3)(6) = (2)(9) 
18 = 18 True!
So, ratios that are equivalent are said to be 
proportional. Cross Multiply makes solving or 
proving proportions much easier. In this 
example 3x = 18, x = 6. 
If you remember, this is 
like finding equivalent 
fractions when you are 
adding or subtracting 
fractions.
1) Are the following true proportions? 
2 10 
= 
3 5 
2 10 
= 
3 15
2) Solve for x: 
4 x 
= 
6 42
3) Solve for x: 
25 5 
= 
x 2
Solve the following problems. 
4) If 4 tickets to a 
show cost $9.00, find 
the cost of 14 tickets. 
5) A house which is 
appraised for $10,000 
pays $300 in taxes. 
What should the tax 
be on a house 
appraised at $15,000.
Similar Figures 
The Big and Small of it
For Polygons to be Similar 
corresponding angles must 
be congruent, 
and 
corresponding sides must 
be proportional 
(in other words the sides 
must have lengths that 
form equivalent ratios)
Congruent figures have the same size and 
shape. Similar figures have the same shape 
but not necessarily the same size. The two 
figures below are similar. They have the same 
shape but not the same size.
Let’s look at the two 
triangles we looked at 
earlier to see if they are 
similar. 
Are the corresponding 
angles in the two 
triangles congruent? 
Are the corresponding 
sides proportional? 
(Do they form equivalent 
ratios)
Just as we solved for 
variables in earlier 
proportions, we can solve for 
variables to find unknown 
sides in similar figures. 
Set up the corresponding 
sides as a proportion and then 
solve for x. 
Ratios 
x/12 
and 
5/10 
x 5 
12 10 
10x = 60 
x = 6
Determine if the two triangles are similar.
In the diagram we can 
use proportions to 
determine the height 
of the tree. 
5/x = 8/28 
8x = 140 
x = 17.5 ft
The two windows below 
are similar. Find the 
unknown width of the 
larger window.
These two buildings are 
similar. Find the height of 
the large building.

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Ratios, proportions, similar figures

  • 1. Ratios, Proportions and Similar Figures Ratios, proportions and scale drawings
  • 2. There are many uses of ratios and proportions. We use them in map reading, making scale drawings and models, solving problems.
  • 3. The most recognizable use of ratios and proportions is drawing models and plans for construction. Scales must be used to approximate what the actual object will be like.
  • 4. A ratio is a comparison of two quantities by division. In the rectangles below, the ratio of shaded area to unshaded area is 1:2, 2:4, 3:6, and 4:8. All the rectangles have equivalent shaded areas. Ratios that make the same comparison are equivalent ratios.
  • 5. Using ratios The ratio of faculty members to students in one school is 1:15. There are 675 students. How many faculty members are there? faculty 1 students 15 1 x 15 = 675 15x = 675 x = 45 faculty
  • 6. A ratio of one number to another number is the quotient of the first number divided by the second. (As long as the second number ≠ 0)
  • 7. A ratio can be written in a variety of ways. You can use ratios to compare quantities or describe rates. Proportions are used in many fields, including construction, photography, and medicine. a:b a/b a to b
  • 8. Since ratios that make the same comparison are equivalent ratios, they all reduce to the same value. 2 3 1 = = 10 15 5
  • 9. Proportions Two ratios that are equal
  • 10. A proportion is an equation that states that two ratios are equal, such as:
  • 11. In simple proportions, all you need to do is examine the fractions. If the fractions both reduce to the same value, the proportion is true. This is a true proportion, since both fractions reduce to 1/3. 5 2 = 15 6
  • 12. In simple proportions, you can use this same approach when solving for a missing part of a proportion. Remember that both fractions must reduce to the same value. To determine the unknown value you must cross multiply. (3)(x) = (2)(9) 3x = 18 x = 6 Check your proportion (3)(x) = (2)(9) (3)(6) = (2)(9) 18 = 18 True!
  • 13. So, ratios that are equivalent are said to be proportional. Cross Multiply makes solving or proving proportions much easier. In this example 3x = 18, x = 6. If you remember, this is like finding equivalent fractions when you are adding or subtracting fractions.
  • 14. 1) Are the following true proportions? 2 10 = 3 5 2 10 = 3 15
  • 15. 2) Solve for x: 4 x = 6 42
  • 16. 3) Solve for x: 25 5 = x 2
  • 17. Solve the following problems. 4) If 4 tickets to a show cost $9.00, find the cost of 14 tickets. 5) A house which is appraised for $10,000 pays $300 in taxes. What should the tax be on a house appraised at $15,000.
  • 18. Similar Figures The Big and Small of it
  • 19. For Polygons to be Similar corresponding angles must be congruent, and corresponding sides must be proportional (in other words the sides must have lengths that form equivalent ratios)
  • 20. Congruent figures have the same size and shape. Similar figures have the same shape but not necessarily the same size. The two figures below are similar. They have the same shape but not the same size.
  • 21. Let’s look at the two triangles we looked at earlier to see if they are similar. Are the corresponding angles in the two triangles congruent? Are the corresponding sides proportional? (Do they form equivalent ratios)
  • 22. Just as we solved for variables in earlier proportions, we can solve for variables to find unknown sides in similar figures. Set up the corresponding sides as a proportion and then solve for x. Ratios x/12 and 5/10 x 5 12 10 10x = 60 x = 6
  • 23. Determine if the two triangles are similar.
  • 24. In the diagram we can use proportions to determine the height of the tree. 5/x = 8/28 8x = 140 x = 17.5 ft
  • 25. The two windows below are similar. Find the unknown width of the larger window.
  • 26. These two buildings are similar. Find the height of the large building.