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Ratio and Proportion:

What is 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. For 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.
For ex: 4 : 5 = 8 : 10 = 12 : 15 etc. Also, 4 : 6 = 2 : 3

What is proportion?

The equality of two ratios is called proportion. If a : b = c : d, we write, a : b : : c : d, then d is called the fourth 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)

• Fourth Proportional : If a : b = c : d, then d is called the fourth proportional to a, b, c
• Third Proportional: If a : b = b : c, then c is called the third proportional to a and b.
• Mean Proportional : Mean Proportional between a and b is √ab

Comparison of Ratios: We say that (a : b) > (c : d) <=> a/b > c/d

Compounded Ratio: The compounded ratio of the ratios (a : b), (c : d), (e : f) is (ace : bdf).

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 (a^1/3 : b^1/3)
If a/b = c/d, then (a+b)/(a-b) = (c+d)/(c-d) (compound and dividend)

Variation:

1.  We say that x is directly proportional to y, if x = ky for some constant k and we write, x ∝ y.
2.  We say that x is inversely proportional to y, if xy = k for some constant k and we write, x ∝ 1/y.

Aptitude Questions (Ratio and Proportion):

1. If A : B = 5 : 7 and B : C = 6 : 11, then A : B : C is:

A)    55: 77: 66

B)    30: 42: 77

C)    35: 49: 42

D)    22: 44: 33

E)    None of these

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2. If 2X = 3Y = 4Z, then X : Y : Z is:

A)    2 : 3: 4

B)    4: 3: 2

C)    6: 4 : 3

D)    20: 15 : 2

E)    None of these

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3. If 15% of x = 20% of y, then x : y is:

A)    3 : 4

B)    4 : 3

C)    17 : 16

D)    16 : 17

E)    None of these

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4. If (4x² – 3y²) : (2x² + 5y²) = 12 : 19, then (x : y) is:

A)    2 : 3

B)    1 : 2

C)    3 : 2

D)    1 : 4

E)    None of these

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5. If 5x² – 13xy + 6y² = 0, then x : y is :

A)    (2 : 1) only

B)    (3 : 5) only

C)    (5 : 3) or (1 : 2)

D)    (3 : 5) or (2 : 1)

E)    None of these

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