Grade

MATHEMATICS
QUARTER 3 – MODULE 4
MELC 7, 8

Proportionality

PART I. Introduction and Discussion

MELC 7: Describes a proportion.
Real life applications of proportion are numerous! The concept occurs in many
places in mathematics. The lessons below allow you to explore on proportion
specifically Fundamental Law of Proportion.

Proportion
Recall that a ratio is a comparison of two quantities. It is expressed as 𝑎: 𝑏
𝑎
(read as “a is to b”), , or 𝑎 ÷ 𝑏, where 𝑏 ≠ 0. The quantities or numbers in a ratio are
𝑏
called the terms of the ratio. These terms must be expressed using the same unit of
measurement.
A proportion is a statement that two ratios are equal. The proportion 𝑎: 𝑏 =
𝑐: 𝑑 is read as “𝑎 is to 𝑏 as 𝑐 is to 𝑑”. The first and last terms (a and d) are called the
extremes of the proportion, and the second and the third terms (b and c) are called the
means of the proportion.

Fundamental Law of Proportion

The Fundamental Law of Proportion states that the product of the means is
equal to the product of the extremes.

Illustrative Example

In the proportion 1: 4 = 10: 40, 1 and 40 are the extremes while 4 and 10 are
the means.

1 10
This proportion can be expressed in fractional form as = . The cross products of
4 40
fractions result in the same value.
Cross multiply:
(1)(40) = (4)(10)
40 = 40

Laws of Proportion
There are several useful properties involving proportions.
1. Means-Extremes Product Law of Proportion:
If 𝑎: 𝑏 = 𝑐: 𝑑, then 𝑎𝑑 = 𝑏𝑐
6 3
Example: Find the value of 𝑥 in the proportion = .
𝑥 8

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 Solution: Using Means-Extremes Product Law of Proportion
6 3
=
𝑥 8
(3)(𝑥) = (6)(8)
3𝑥 = 48
48
𝑥=
3
𝑥 = 16

2. Switch Means-Switch Extremes Law of Proportion:

If 𝑎: 𝑏 = 𝑐: 𝑑, then 𝑎: 𝑐 = 𝑏: 𝑑 or 𝑑: 𝑏 = 𝑐: 𝑎

1 𝟒 1 𝟐
Example: = is equal to = by switching means
𝟐 8 𝟒 8

𝟏 4 𝟖 4
= is equal to = by switching means
2 𝟖 2 𝟏

3. Invert-Both-Sides Law of Proportion:

If 𝑎: 𝑏 = 𝑐: 𝑑, then 𝑏: 𝑎 = 𝑑: 𝑐

𝟏 𝟒 𝟐 𝟖
Example: = is equal to = by inverting both sides
𝟐 𝟖 𝟏 𝟒

4. Denominator- Addition Law of Proportion:

If 𝑎: 𝑏 = 𝑐: 𝑑, then 𝑎 + 𝑏: 𝑏 = 𝑐 + 𝑑: 𝑑
𝟏 𝟒 𝟏+𝟐 𝟒+𝟖
Example: = is equal to = by adding denominator
𝟐 𝟖 𝟐 𝟖

5. Denominator- Subtraction Law of Proportion:

If 𝑎: 𝑏 = 𝑐: 𝑑, then 𝑎 − 𝑏: 𝑏 = 𝑐 − 𝑑: 𝑑
𝟏 𝟒 𝟏−𝟐 𝟒−𝟖
Example: = is equal to = by subtracting denominator
𝟐 𝟖 𝟐 𝟖

6. Numerator-Denominator Sum Law of Proportion:

If 𝑎: 𝑏 = 𝑐: 𝑑, then 𝑎 + 𝑐: 𝑏 + 𝑑
𝟏 𝟒 𝟏+𝟒
Example: = is equal to by numerator-denominator sum
𝟐 𝟖 𝟐+𝟖

MELC 8: Applies the fundamental theorems of proportionality to solve

problems involving proportions.

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 In this lesson, you will apply the fundamental theorems of proportionality to
solve problems involving proportions. Proportions are used in a number of geometric
problems. Some of these are illustrated as follows.

Application in Scale Drawing

An important application of ratio and proportions is in scale drawing where the
scale compares each length in the drawing to the actual length it represents.

Illustrative Example
Suppose that a map has a scale where 2 cm represents 1 km. How many
kilometers does 1 cm represent?
Using the Fundamental Law of Proportion
2 𝑐𝑚: 1 𝑘𝑚 = 1 𝑐𝑚: 𝑥
(2 𝑐𝑚)(𝑥) = (1𝑘𝑚)(1 𝑐𝑚)
(1𝑘𝑚)(1𝑐𝑚)
𝑥=
2𝑐𝑚
𝟏
𝒙= 𝒐𝒓 𝟎. 𝟓 𝒌𝒎
𝟐

Proportional Segments
Proportions are used in geometry when solving problems involving proportional
segments.
Proportional segments are corresponding segments whose ratios are equal.
Consider the two segments 𝐴𝐶 and 𝐷𝐹 in the figure below. Point B divides 𝐴𝐶 into
two segments 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐵𝐶. Point E divides 𝐷𝐹 into two segments 𝐷𝐸 and 𝐸𝐹. 𝐴𝐶 and
𝐷𝐹 are divided proportionally by point B on 𝐴𝐶 and point E on 𝐷𝐹. Therefore, 𝐴𝐵: 𝐵𝐶 =
𝐴𝐵 𝐷𝐸
𝐷𝐸: 𝐸𝐹 or = .
𝐵𝐶 𝐸𝐹

Illustrative Examples

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1. Find the length of the unknown part of the given segments divided proportionally.

𝑀𝑁 𝑃𝑄
Solution: Let 𝑥 = 𝑀𝑁. Forming the proportion = .
𝑁𝑂 𝑄𝑅

𝑥 8
=
5 10
10𝑥 = (5)(8)
10𝑥 = 40
40
𝑥=
10
𝒙=𝟒

2. 𝐴𝐶 and 𝐷𝐹 are divided proportionally by point B on 𝐴𝐶 and point E on 𝐷𝐹 . If 𝐴𝐵

is 3 𝑐𝑚 , 𝐵𝐶 is 12 𝑐𝑚 and 𝐷𝐹 is 30 𝑐𝑚, find 𝐷𝐸 and 𝐸𝐹.

𝐴𝐵 𝐷𝐸
Solution: =
𝐵𝐶 𝐸𝐹

3 𝐷𝐸
= (𝐸𝐹 = 𝐷𝐹 − 𝐷𝐸)
12 30−𝐷𝐸

12(𝐷𝐸) = 3(30 − 𝐷𝐸)

12𝐷𝐸 = 90 − 3𝐷𝐸

12𝐷𝐸 + 3𝐷𝐸 = 90

15𝐷𝐸 = 90
90
𝐷𝐸 =
15
𝑫𝑬 = 𝟔 𝒄𝒎

Solve for 𝐸𝐹 = 30 𝑐𝑚 − 6 𝑐𝑚

𝑬𝑭 = 𝟐𝟒 𝒄𝒎

Basic Proportionality Theorem

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 Basic Proportionality Theorem states that “If a line intersecting two sides of a
triangle is parallel to the third side, then it divides the two sides proportionally”.
Consider the figure below.

In ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶, 𝐷𝐸 intersect sides 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐴𝐶 and

𝐷𝐸 is parallel to side 𝐵𝐶, therefore the two sides are
proportional. The proportional segments are
𝐴𝐷 𝐴𝐸 𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐶 𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐶
= 𝐴𝐶 or = 𝐴𝐸 or = 𝐸𝐶 .
𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐷 𝐷𝐵

Illustrative Examples

1. In ∆𝑃𝑅𝑇, 𝑄𝑆 ∥ 𝑅𝑇 , 𝑃𝑄 = 4 𝑐𝑚, 𝑄𝑅 = 16 𝑐𝑚, and 𝑆𝑇 = 8 𝑐𝑚. Find 𝑃𝑆.

Solution: Let 𝑥 = 𝑃𝑆. Applying the Basic Proportionality Theorem, you can set up
and solve the following proportion:

𝑃𝑄 𝑃𝑆
=
𝑄𝑅 𝑆𝑇
4 𝑥
=
16 8
(16 )(𝑥) = (4 )(8 )
16𝑥 = 32
32
𝑥=
16
𝒙 = 𝟐 𝒄𝒎

2. In ∆𝑋𝑊𝑍, 𝑌𝑉 ∥ 𝑍𝑊 , 𝑋𝑊 = 25 𝑚𝑚, 𝑋𝑉 = 15 𝑚𝑚, and 𝑌𝑍 = 16 𝑚𝑚. What is the

length of 𝑋𝑌.

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 Solution: Let 𝑥 = 𝑋𝑌. Applying the Basic Proportionality Theorem to set up and
solve the following proportion:

𝑋𝑉 𝑋𝑌
=
𝑋𝑊 𝑋𝑍
15 𝑥
=
25 𝑥 + 16
(25)(𝑥) = (15)(x + 16)
25x = 15x + 240
25𝑥 − 15𝑥 = 240
10𝑥 = 240
240
𝑥=
15
𝒙 = 𝟐𝟒 𝒎𝒎

PART II. Activities

Activity 1
A. Directions: Put a check () on the space provided if the item is a proportion and
(x) if not.
3 35
_______1. 4: 2 = 8: 4 _______4. =
5 21
12 6
_______2. 5: 20 = 10: 40 _______5. =
10 5
24 6
_______3. 6: 8 = 64: 58 _______6. =
8 2

B. Directions: Identify the means and extremes in each proportion.

𝑦 12
_______7. 𝑥: 6 = 8: 12 _______8. 18: 36 = 𝑚: 4 _______9. =
15 3
𝑎 3
C. Directions: Which of the following proportions is equivalent to the proportion = .
𝑏 5
Write E if it is equal to the given proportion and NE if it is not.
𝑎+𝑏 3+5 5 3
_______10. = _______11. = _______12. 5𝑎 = 5𝑏
𝑏 5 𝑏 𝑎

Activity 2
Directions: Solve each word problem.

1. A map has a scale of 5 𝑐𝑚: 20 𝑘𝑚. What is the actual distance from Pangasinan to
Manila if the map shows 12 𝑐𝑚 distance between the two places?

2. 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐷𝐹 are divided proportionally by point O on 𝐴𝐵 and point S on 𝐷𝐹. If 𝐴𝑂

is 12 𝑓𝑡 , 𝑂𝐵 is 24 𝑓𝑡 and 𝐷𝑆 is 36 𝑓𝑡, find 𝑆𝐹.

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3. In ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶, 𝐷𝐸 ∥ 𝐵𝐶 , 𝐴𝐷 = 7 𝑐𝑚, 𝐷𝐵 = 42 𝑐𝑚, and 𝐴𝐸 = 8 𝑐𝑚. What is the length of
𝐸𝐶?

4. 𝑀𝑃 and 𝑄𝑆 are divided proportionally by point O on 𝑀𝑃 and point R on 𝑄𝑆. If 𝑄𝑅

is 12 𝑐𝑚 , 𝑅𝑆 is 300 𝑐𝑚 and 𝑀𝑃 is 104 𝑐𝑚, find 𝑀𝑂 and 𝑂𝑃.

5. In ∆𝐴𝐶𝐸, 𝐵𝐷 ∥ 𝐴𝐸 , 𝐶𝐸 = 30 𝑚, 𝐶𝐷 = 18 𝑚, and 𝐵𝐶 = 54 𝑚. Find length of 𝐷𝐸 and

𝐴𝐵.

Answer Key

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PART III. Assessment

A. Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. Which of the following is NOT a proportion?
7 21 6 12
a. 1: 2 = 4: 8 b. 5: 3 = 10: 6 c. = d. =
10 30 14 26

2. Identify the means in the proportion 4: 3 = 12: 9.

a. 3 and 12 b. 4 and 9 c. 4 and 3 d. 12 and 9
12 𝑥
3. What should be the value of x in = to make the equation a proportion?
4 3
a. 9 b. 8 c. 10 d. 6
𝑎 4
4. Which of the following is equivalent to the proportion = ?
𝑐 5
𝑎+𝑎 4+4 𝑎−5 4−𝑐
a. 4𝑎 = 5𝑐 b. 4𝑐 = 5𝑎 c. = d. =
𝑐 5 𝑐 5

5. Find the value of y in the proportion 7: 8 = 63: 𝑦.

a. 65 b. 70 c. 72 d. 64
2 8
6. What is the equivalent proportion of = applying the Invert-both-sides law of
3 12
proportion?
12 8 2 3 8 2 3 12
a. = b. = c. = d. =
3 2 8 12 12 3 2 8

For nos. 7-9 refer to the figure below: 𝑋𝑍 and 𝐴𝐶, and ̅̅̅̅
𝑋𝑌 and ̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐵 are proportional
segments.

7. Which of the following statement is true about 𝑋𝑍 and 𝐴𝐶?

a. 𝑋𝑌 and 𝐵𝐶 are proportional
b. Point Y divides 𝐴𝐶 into two segments 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐵𝐶
c. 𝑌𝑍 and 𝐴𝐵 are proportional
d. Point Y and B divides the two segments proportionally
8. Which of the following proportion is correct?
𝑋𝑌 𝐴𝐵 𝑋𝑌 𝐵𝐶 𝑋𝑌 𝑌𝑍 𝑋𝑌 𝐴𝐵
a. = b. = c. = d. =
𝑌𝑍 𝐵𝐶 𝑌𝑍 𝐴𝐵 𝐵𝐶 𝐴𝐵 𝑌𝑍 𝐴𝐶

9. If 𝑋𝑌 = 5 𝑐𝑚, 𝑌𝑍 = 18 𝑐𝑚, and 𝐴𝐵 = 20 𝑐𝑚, find the length of 𝐵𝐶.

a. 54 cm b. 72 cm c. 36 cm d. 90 cm

For nos. 10-12 refer to the figure below: In ∆𝐿𝑂𝑉, 𝐸𝑆 ∥ 𝑂𝑉.

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10. Which statement is true about ∆𝐿𝑂𝑉?
a. 𝐿𝐸: 𝐸𝑂 = 𝐿𝑆: 𝑂𝑉 c. 𝐿𝑂: 𝐸𝑂 = 𝐿𝑉: 𝐿𝑆
b. 𝐿𝐸: 𝐸𝑂 = 𝐿𝑆: 𝑆𝑉 d. 𝐿𝑂: 𝐿𝐸 = 𝐿𝑉: 𝐸𝑆

11. Find the length of 𝑆𝑉 when 𝐿𝐸 = 12, 𝐿𝑆 = 4, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸𝑂 = 18.

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a. 6 b. 54 c. d. 8
3

12. If 𝐿𝑂 = 14, 𝐿𝑆 = 18, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸𝑂 = 12, what is the length of 𝐿𝑉?

a. 216 b. 108 c.126 d. 80

B. Directions: Solve the following problems.

13. 𝑆𝐷 and 𝐽𝑌 are divided proportionally by point A on 𝑆𝐷 and point O on 𝐽𝑌 . If

𝑆𝐴 = (𝑥 + 4)𝑐𝑚 , 𝐴𝐷 = 20 𝑐𝑚, 𝐽𝑂 = (𝑥 + 20)𝑐𝑚 and 𝑂𝑌 = 60 𝑐𝑚, find the value
of x and the length of 𝑆𝐴 and 𝐽𝑂.

14. In ∆𝐴𝐷𝐸, 𝐵𝐶 ∥ 𝐷𝐸 , 𝐴𝐶 = (𝑥 − 1) 𝑚, 𝐶𝐸 = 5 𝑚, 𝐴𝐵 = 6 𝑚 and 𝐵𝐷 = 3 𝑚. Find

the value of x and length of 𝐴𝐶.

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15. In ∆𝑀𝑁𝑂, 𝑃𝑄 ∥ 𝑁𝑂 , 𝑄O = (𝑦 + 1) 𝑓𝑡, 𝑀𝑄 = 4 𝑓𝑡, 𝑀𝑃 = 6 𝑚 and 𝑀𝑁 = 9 𝑓𝑡.
Find the value of y and length of 𝑄𝑂.

References
Books
Diaz, Zenaida et al. Next Century Mathematics 9. Phoenix Publishing House,
Inc., 2014.

Ponsones, Rigor et al. Math Ideas and Life Applications 9. Abiva Publishing
House, Inc., 2013.