Proportions Word Problems Worksheet 1

A proportion is a set of 2 fractions that equal each other. This article focuses on how to use proportions to solve real life problems.

Real World Uses of Proportions

  • Modifying a budget for a restaurant chain that is expanding from 3 locations to 20 locations
  • Creating a skyscraper from blueprints
  • Calculating tips, commissions, and sales tax

Modifying a Recipe

On Monday, you are cooking enough white rice to serve exactly 3 people. The recipe calls for 2 cups of water and 1 cup of dry rice. On Sunday, you are going to serve rice to 12 people. How would the recipe change? If you’ve ever made rice, you know that this ratio — 1 part dry rice and 2 parts water — is important. Mess it up, and you’ll be scooping a gummy, hot mess on top of your guests' crawfish étouffée.

Because you are quadrupling your guest list (3 people * 4 = 12 people), you must quadruple your recipe. Cook 8 cups of water and 4 cups of dry rice. These shifts in a recipe demonstrate the heart of proportions: use a ratio to accommodate life's greater and smaller changes.

Algebra and Proportions 1

Sure, with the right numbers, you can forgo setting up an algebraic equation to determine the amounts of dry rice and water. What happens when the numbers are not so friendly? On Thanksgiving, you'll be serving rice to 25 people. How much water  do you need?

Because the ratio of 2 parts water and 1 part dry rice applies to cooking 25 servings of rice, use a proportion to determine the quantity of ingredients.

Note: Translating a word problem into an equation is super important. Yes, you can solve an incorrectly set up equation and find an answer. You can also mix rice and water together to create "food" to serve at Thanksgiving. Whether the answer or food is palatable depends on the equation.

Think about what you know:

  • 3 servings of cooked rice = 2 cups of water; 1 cup of dry rice
    25 servings of cooked rice = ? cups of water; ? cup of dry rice
  • 3 servings of cooked rice/25 servings of cooked rice = 2 cups of water/x cups of water
  • 3/25 = 2/x


Cross multiply. Hint: Write these fractions vertically to get the full understanding of cross multiplying. To cross multiply, take the first fraction's numerator and multiply it by the second fraction's denominator. Then take the second fraction's numerator and multiply it by the first fraction's denominator.

3 * x = 2 * 25
3x = 50

Divide both sides of the equation by 3 to solve for x.

3x/3 = 50/3
x = 16.6667 cups of water

Freeze- verify that the answer is correct.
Is 3/25 = 2/16.6667?
3/25 = .12
2/16.6667= .12

Whoo hoo! The first proportion is right. 

Algebra and Proportions 2

Remember that x will not always be in the numerator. Sometimes the variable is in the denominator, but the process is the same.

Solve the following for x.

36/x = 108/12

Cross multiply:
36 * 12 = 108 * x
432 = 108x

Divide both sides by 108 to solve for x.
432/108 = 108x/108
4 = x

Check and make sure the answer is right. Remember, a proportion is defined as 2 equivalent fractions:

Does 36/4 = 108/12?
36/4 = 9
108/12 = 9

It’s right!

Practice Exercises

Instructions: For each exercise, set up a proportion and solve. Check each answer.

1. Damian is making brownies to serve at the family picnic. If the recipe calls for 2 ½ cups of cocoa to serve 4 people, how many cups will he need if there will be 60 people at the picnic?

2. A piglet can gain 3 pounds in 36 hours. If this rate continues, the pig will reach 18 pounds in _________ hours.

3. Denise’s rabbit can eat 70 pounds of food in 80 days. How long will it take the rabbit to eat 87.5 pounds?

4. Jessica drives 130 miles every two hours. If this rate continues, how long will it take her to drive 1,000 miles?

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Ledwith, Jennifer. "Proportions Word Problems Worksheet 1." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/proportions-word-problems-worksheet-2312534. Ledwith, Jennifer. (2023, April 5). Proportions Word Problems Worksheet 1. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/proportions-word-problems-worksheet-2312534 Ledwith, Jennifer. "Proportions Word Problems Worksheet 1." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/proportions-word-problems-worksheet-2312534 (accessed March 29, 2024).