Question

Is the ratio 4.2:1.5 proportional to the ratio 12:5? Explain.

Answer 1

No.

Explanation:

We can set this proportion up as:

`(4.2)/(1.5)=(12)/(5)`

For this to be true, cross-products need to be equal:

`4.2(5)=12(1.5)`,

However, we can see that this is not the case:

`4.2\cdot 5 \\eq 12 \cdot 1.5`

Therefore, these ratios are not proportional.