Proportions

1
Before we start

We need to learn
a little bit about
the Port of Long
Beach.

If you haven’t
seen the
introductory
lesson, do that
first!
2
Before we begin…

You already know how to:

• Determine if 2 ratios form a
proportion
• Solve a proportion using an equal-
fraction approach
• Solve a proportion using cross-
products and an equation
Refresh your memory with
a little practice…

3
Refresher #1
Do these two ratios form a
proportion?
2 ? 3
=
8 12
Tell your neighbor yes or no.
If you disagree, discuss until
you agree.
Yes
4
Refresher #2
Explain to your neighbor how the
cross product property is used to
determine if these two ratios form a
proportion.

2 ? 3
=
8 12
2 • 12 = 3 • 8,
so this must be a proportion
5
Refresher #3
Solve this proportion by thinking of
the two ratios as equivalent
fractions.
•4=
2 8
=
3 x
•4=

x = 12
6
Refresher #4
Solve this proportion by using cross-
products to write an equation and
solve it.
2 x
=
6 15
6x = 2 • 15
6x = 30
6 6
x=5 7
Today you will solve
word problems
which involve proportions.
All the problems will
involve situations
from the Port of Long
Beach.

8
By the end of the lesson, you will:

• Write proportions to represent

situations at the Port of Long Beach
• Write proportions with one variable
• Use cross-products to solve the
proportions
CA Math Content Standard
6.1.3 Use proportions to solve problems. Use cross-
multiplication as a method for solving such
problems, understanding it as the multiplication of
both sides of an equation by a multiplicative
inverse.
9
Why learn about proportions?

• Proportions are used in many real

life situations
• Converting one unit of measure to
another
• Making a recipe larger or smaller
• Enlarging or reducing photographs
• Just about anywhere!

10
A proportion is two equal
ratios

1 2
=
2 4
11
An example:

• A twenty-foot container (1 TEU)

holds 15,000 tennis shoes.
• A forty-foot container (2 TEUs)
holds 30,000 tennis shoes.

1 TEU 2 TEUs
=
15,000 shoes 30,000 shoes
12
The proportion:

double

1 TEU 2 TEUs
=
15,000 shoes 30,000 shoes
double
is two equal ratios.
13
In pairs:

• Determine which partner will be

person A and which is person B.
• Person A: Tell your partner the
definition of a proportion.
• Person B: Tell your partner he or
she is correct, or tell your partner
the correct definition.

A proportion is two equal ratios.

14
 The ships that carry salt have 6
cargo holds. Each can hold 10,000
tons of salt.
Is1this
cargoa hold
proportion?6 cargo holds
=
10,000 tons of salt 60,000 tons of salt
Don’t say the answer out loud, wait
for the count of three.
Yes
Tell your partner how you know it is a proportion.
I will pick a person at random to explain.
15
Next, you will write a
proportion for a situation.

There are four steps:

1. Read the situation. Identify the Write this
in your
two units. notes

2. Write one unit on top of the

other.
3. Write two fraction bars with an
equal sign between.
4. Fill in the numbers so each ratio
has meaning.
16
Watch me use the 4 steps

Write a proportion to represent this

situation:

A crane operator unloads one

container every two minutes.
The operator can unload 10
containers in 20 minutes.

17
Step 1:
Identify the two units.

A crane operator unloads

1 container every 2
minutes.
The operator can unload
10 containers in 20
minutes. Hint:
The units come after
the numbers.

18
Step 2:
Write 1 unit on top of the other.

A crane operator unloads

1 container every 2
minutes.
The operator can unload
10 containers in 20
minutes.
containers
minutes

19
Step 3:
Write the fraction bars and = sign.

A crane operator unloads

1 container every 2
minutes.
The operator can unload
10 containers in 20
minutes.
containers
=
minutes

20
Step 4:
Write numbers in ratios.

A crane operator unloads

1 container every 2
minutes.
The operator can unload
10 containers in 20
minutes.
containers 1 10
=
minutes 2 20

We wrote a proportion to represent the problem.

21
Would this proportion also make
sense?

I’ll show you another proportion for

the SAME problem.
Discuss with your partner if this
proportion also makes sense.
After one minute, I will call one
student at random to answer.

22
Would this proportion also make
sense?
1m
inu
A crane operator unloads o te
ve i
1 container every 2 r s
minutes.
The operator can unload
10 containers in 20
minutes
minutes. 2 20
=
containers 1 10

Yes
23
One more…

I’ll show you another proportion for

the SAME problem.
Discuss with your partner if this
proportion also makes sense.
After one minute, I will call one
student at random to answer.

24
Does this proportion also make
sense?
1m
A crane operator unloads inu
1 container every 2 ov te is
er
minutes.
The operator can unload
10 containers in 20
containers 1 2
minutes. =
minutes 10 20
No
This proportion shows that the crane operator
takes 10 minutes to unload 1 container.
25
Time to practice
• I will give you a situation and you
will write a proportion to represent
it.
• First you will write it on your own.
• Then you will check your proportion
with your group members.
• Then I will select one person at
random to teach the class how to
write the proportion.
• Be sure to refer to your notes for
the 4 steps. 26
Time to practice

Write a proportion for

this situation.

1 container is 8 feet wide, so

5 containers are 40 feet wide.

27
 Teach anyone who
needs help.

1 container is 8 feet wide, so

5 containers are 40 feet wide.

28
Time to practice

I will select one person

to teach the class.

1 container is 8 feet wide, so

5 containers are 40 feet wide.

29
 One Solution

1 container is 8 feet wide, so

5 containers are 40 feet wide.

containers 1 5
=
feet 8 40
Next we will write proportions to
represent word problems.

• One of the four numbers will be

missing.
• Use a variable in its place.
• Follow the same 4 steps.

31
I’ll do the first one

• The Morton Salt Company

can package 20 bags of salt
in 1 minute.
• How many bags can it
package in 1 hour (60 min)?

1 :
t e p it s
S u n
t i f y
e n
Id
32
I’ll do the first one

• The Morton Salt Company

can package 20 bags of salt
in 1 minute.
• How many bags can it
package in 1 hour (60 min)?

2 : bags
t e p ts
S u ni minutes
r ite
W
33
I’ll do the first one

• The Morton Salt Company

can package 20 bags of salt
in 1 minute.
• How many bags can it
package in 1 hour (60 min)?

3 : bags
p
S empty
t e
minutes
=
rite os
W ati
r
34
I’ll do the first one

• The Morton Salt Company

can package 20 bags of salt
in 1 minute.
• How many bags can it
package in 1 hour (60 min)?
4 :
te p
S in bags
i l
F ers l 20 x
b =
num minutes 1 60
We wrote a proportion to represent the problem.
35
Think about it…

• I’m going to ask you a question

about the Morton Salt problem.
• I’ll give you a minute to think about
it, then ask for a thumbs up for Yes,
or a thumbs down for No.

36
Your Question
• The Morton Salt Company
can package 20 bags of salt
in 1 minute.
• How many bags can it
package in 1 hour (60 min)?
bags 20 x
=
minutes 1 60
Could you write a proportion for this
problem with “bags” on the bottom?
Think time… 10
1 minute
50
40
30
20Time’s
seconds
Up
37
Your Question
• The Morton Salt Company
can package 20 bags of salt
in 1 minute.
• How many bags can it
package in 1 hour (60 min)?
bags 20 x
=
minutes 1 60

Yes, just flip the numbers

from top to bottom
38
Time to practice
• I will give you a problem and you
will write a proportion to represent
it.
• First you will write it on your own.
• Then you will check your proportion
with your group members.
• Then I will select one person at
random to teach the class how to
write the proportion.
• Be sure to refer to your notes for
the 4 steps. 39
On your own…
Write a proportion only
for this problem.
(Do not answer the
“how many bags” question!)

1 bag sells for $5.

How many bags would you
get for $75?

40
Check with your group
members

Teach anyone who needs help.

1 bag sells for $5.

How many bags would you
get for $75?

41
One person teaches

I will select one person

to teach the class.

1 bag sells for $5.

How many bags would you
get for $75?

42
One Solution

1 bag sells for $5.

How many bags would you
get for $75?

bags 1 x
=
$ 5 75

43
Finally we will solve these
proportions

There are four steps:

Write this
1. Write the proportion for the in your
problem. notes

2. Use the cross-products property

to write an equation.
3. Divide both sides by the
coefficient to solve.
4. Rewrite your answer so it
answers the question.
44
Watch me use the four steps

Use a proportion to solve the Morton

Salt problem:
• 1 bag sells for $5.
• How many bags would
you get for $75?

45
Watch me use the four steps

• 1 bag sells for $5.

• How many bags would
you get for $75?
bags 1 x
=
: $ 5 75
1
p e
S t e h
t
r ite ion
W ort
r o p
p
46
Watch me use the four steps

• 1 bag sells for $5.

• How many bags would
you get for $75?
bags 1 x
=
: $ 5 75
2
p e
S t e
t h 5x = 75 • 1
r ite on
W ati
e q u

47
Watch me use the four steps

• 1 bag sells for $5.

• How many bags would
you get for $75?
bags 1 x
=
: $ 5 75
p 3
S t e o th
e b 5x = 75 • 1
i v id s
D ide 5 5
s
x = 15
48
Watch me use the four steps
• 1 bag sells for $5.
• How many bags would
you get for $75?
bags 1 x
=
$ 5 75
4 : 5x = 75 • 1
t e p
S ite to
w r r 5 5
e
R swe
an tion x = 15
e s You would get 15 bags.
qu
49
In pairs:

• Determine which partner will be

person A and which is person B.
• Person A: Tell your partner how to
write an equation from a proportion.
Multiply diagonally, and write an
equal sign in between
• Person B: Tell your partner how to
solve the equation.
Divide both sides by the coefficient
50
Time to practice
• I will give you a problem and you
will write a proportion and solve it.
• First you will work on your own.
• Then you will check your proportion
and answer with your group
members.
• I will select one person at random
to teach the class how to solve the
problem.

51
On your own…

• Crane operator Mike Metri said in an

interview that his record number of
containers unloaded in an 8-hour
shift is 330.
• On average, about how many
containers were unloaded in each
hour?
Write the proportion first,
then solve it.

52
Check with your group
members

Teach anyone who needs help.

• Crane operator Mike Metri said in an
interview that his record number of
containers unloaded in an 8-hour
shift is 330.
• On average, about how many
containers were unloaded in each
hour?

53
One person teaches

I will select one person to teach the

class.
• Crane operator Mike Metri said in an
interview that his record number of
containers unloaded in an 8-hour
shift is 330.
• On average, about how many
containers were unloaded in each
hour?
54
One Solution
• 330 containers in 8 hours.
• On average, about how many
containers were unloaded in each
hour?
containers 330 x
=
hours 8 1
8x = 330 • 1
8 8
x = 41.25
About 41 containers each hour
55
Check Your Notes and
Summarize

• Exchange notes with your partner

and look for any differences.
• Add anything to your notes that you
feel is missing.
• Write a summary of how to write a
proportion from a word problem
and how to solve the proportion at
the bottom of your notes.

56