The relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two things
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In this explainer, we will learn how to find an unknown term in a proportion and solve word problems on proportions involving fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals. The word “relationship” in proportional and nonproportional relationships means that we are looking at how two different quantities are connected. For instance, in which way does the price of identical items relate to the number of items? In general (e.g., when there is no special offer), the price of
identical items is directly proportional to the number of items. We will see how this type of relationship is mathematically described. Let us first recall the notion of ratio between two quantities. Ratios are used to compare two numbers or quantities. They describe a relationship between these two quantities. For instance, if a fruit salad was made with 4 apples and 6 oranges, then the ratio of apples to oranges in the recipe is
4∶6. In this example of the apples to oranges ratio, we could image making a fruit salad with half the quantities of the previous one, that is, two apples and three oranges. Or we could use three times “two apples and three oranges,” that is, six apples and nine oranges. The three ratios of apples to oranges (4∶6, 2∶3, and 6 ∶9) are all equivalent; they all describe the same relationship between the number of apples and the number of oranges. This relationship can be described with the words “there are two apples for every three oranges.” This equivalency can be illustrated with the shown diagrams. When in all situations the ratios of one quantity to the other are equivalent, then we say that both quantities are directly proportional or are in direct proportion. We can say as well that the relationship between the two quantities is a directly proportional relationship. In our example with the fruit salad, the number of apples and the number of oranges are directly proportional. If one quantity is doubled, then the other is doubled as well; and if one quantity is halved, then the other is halved as well. Note that when talking about direct proportions, the word “direct” or “directly” is often forgotten. Do remember that when only “proportion” or “proportional” is written, then the word “direct” or “directly” is implicit. Ratios are written as fractions (or quotients) for proportions and rates. Ratios are often used for part-to-part ratios, while proportions are part-to-whole ratios. Rates are ratios that compare two quantities of different nature (expressed in different units), for instance, when we compare the prices of identical items and the number of items. Let us imagine that 3 given books cost $9. The ratio of the price to the number of books will be expressed as the quotient 93, which is three. This three means that one book costs $3. We often say $3 per book. This $3/book is then the unit rate of the proportional relationship between the number of books and the price. If the price is directly proportional to the number of books, then the price for 5 books is given by five times the price per book; that is, 5×3=$15. We see that the ratio of the price to the number of books 155 has not changed. This directly proportional relationship can be represented on a double number line. All pairs of values (number of books/price) are vertically aligned on the double-line diagram. Let us summarize what a directly proportional relationship is. Directly Proportional Relationship: Definition of a ProportionTwo quantities 𝐴 and 𝐵 are directly proportional, or in direct proportion, when ratios of quantity 𝐴 to quantity 𝐵 are in all situations equivalent. Mathematically, this means that if in a given situation quantity 𝐴 is 𝐴 and quantity 𝐵 is 𝐵 and in another situation quantity 𝐴 is 𝐴 and quantity 𝐵 is 𝐵, then 𝐴∶𝐵=𝐴∶𝐵 and 𝐴𝐵=𝐴𝐵 when 𝐴 is directly proportional to 𝐵. It follows that a proportion can also refer to the above equality 𝐴𝐵=𝐴𝐵, which shows that quantities 𝐴 and 𝐵 are directly proportional. We say that the ratios 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐴𝐵 form a proportion. Let us now describe how to identify a proportional relationship. How To: Identifying a Proportional RelationshipWhen we know the values of two different quantities in at least two situations, we can identify if the quantities are proportional in these situations or not. For this, we work out the ratio of one of the quantities to the other in each situation. The quantities are proportional if the ratios are equivalent (i.e., if they have the same simplest form). How the two quantities in a ratio relate to each other can be visualized in different ways: Ratios that compare two parts of a whole Ratios that compare a part and a whole (called a proportion) Ratios that compare two quantities of different nature (called a rate) Let us see with one example how to identify a directly proportional relationship between two quantities. Example 1: Identifying a Proportional Relationship from Two Pairs of ValuesDetermine which of the following pairs of ratios forms a proportion.
AnswerIn all the four options, the price for five cookies is $7, but the number of cookies that one gets with $63 is different. To determine for which option the price is proportional to the number of cookies, we can first work out the price per cookie when five cookies cost $7, and then we can find how many cookies can be bought at this unit price with $63. The price per cookie is the ratio of the price to the number of cookies: $75=$1.40/.cookiescookie Let us find now how many cookies can be bought with $63 at this price. For this, we need to find how many times there are $1.40 in $63: 631.4 0=45. We have found that, with $7 for 5 cookies and $63 for 45 cookies, the price of cookies is proportional to the number of cookies. We have indeed $75=$6345.cookiescookies We could also have found that $63 is nine times as much as $7. If the price of cookies is proportional to the number of cookies, then one should get nine times as many cookies with $63 as with $7; that is, 9×5=45.cookies The previous example can be illustrated with the double-line diagram. The price of 63 dollars is aligned with 45 cookies, showing that 45 cookies for $63 are sold at the same unit price as 5 cookies for $7. Example 2: Identifying Which Ratio Forms a Proportion with a given RatioDina wants to enlarge a photo that is 4 inches by 6 inches. Which of the following is proportional to the original photo?
AnswerWhen enlarging a photo, it is important to keep the width-to-height ratio (called aspect ratio) constant; otherwise, the photo will not look as the original. The aspect of the original ratio here is 4∶6. We need to find which of the given ratios is equivalent to 4∶6, whose simplest form is 2∶3. We can express all the given ratios in their simplest form and compare with 2∶3. We find that
Hence, the dimensions 24 inches by 36 inches are proportional to the original dimensions of Dina’s photo. Example 3: Finding a Missing Value Working Out the Unit RateFarida earned $87.12 in a week for working 18 hours. If she works 25 hours the following week, determine the amount of money she will earn. AnswerWe know that Farida earned $87.12 in 18 hours. As her salary is proportional to the number of hours, we can find the unit rate of this proportional relationship, that is, how much she is paid for one hour and then multiply the unit rate by 25 hours to find how much she will earn when working 25 hours. To find the unit rate, we divide her salary for 18 hours ($87.12) by 18 hours. We find: 87.12÷18= 4.84.dollars In 25 hours, she will earn 25 times the unit rate: 4.84×25=121.dollars If she works 25 hours, she will earn $121. Key Points
What is the process by which a stimulus increases the chances that a behavior will occur again?In operant conditioning, positive reinforcement involves the addition of a reinforcing stimulus following a behavior that makes it more likely that the behavior will occur again in the future.
Are defined as stimuli that increase the frequency of behavior?Reinforcement is defined by its effect on behavior. Specifically, a reinforcer is any stimulus that increases the frequency or probability of a behavior it follows. This is called a functional definition, because the term is defined by an outcome: a purpose (function) that is accomplished.
What is the acquiring of knowledge by observing and imitating other people?Observational learning is the process of learning by watching the behaviors of others. The targeted behavior is watched, memorized, and then mimicked. Also known as shaping and modeling, observational learning is most common in children as they imitate behaviors of adults.
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