6th Grade Math
Ratios, proportions, and algebraic thinking for sixth grade students.
Advanced Topics
Solving Ratio and Proportion Problems
Steps to Solve Ratio and Proportion Problems
- Write the ratios as fractions.
- Set up the proportion.
- Use cross-multiplication to find the missing value.
- Check your answer by plugging it back in.
Tips for Solving Problems
- Always simplify ratios first!
- Label your quantities to avoid confusion.
- Practice makes perfect—draw pictures or use tables for tricky questions.
Example with Formula
If \( \frac{a}{b} = \frac{c}{x} \), then \( x = \frac{b \times c}{a} \).
Key Formula
\[x = \frac{b \times c}{a}\]
Examples
If 4 pens cost \$12, how much do 7 pens cost? Set up 4/12 = 7/x and solve for x.
A model car is built at a 1:24 scale. If the real car is 12 feet long, the model is 0.5 feet (6 inches).
In a Nutshell
You can solve for unknowns in proportions using cross-multiplication.