Proportion Solver

Enter three known values and one unknown (x) into the Proportion Solver to find the missing number in a proportion (A/B = C/D). Type x in any one of the four fields — A, B, C, or D — and fill in the remaining three with numbers. The solver applies cross multiplication to compute the missing value and displays the complete solved proportion.

Enter a number or 'x' for the unknown

Enter a number or 'x' for the unknown

Enter a number or 'x' for the unknown

Enter a number or 'x' for the unknown

Results

Missing Value (x)

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Left Ratio (A/B)

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Right Ratio (C/D)

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Cross Product (A × D)

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Cross Product (B × C)

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Ratio Comparison: A/B vs C/D

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a proportion?

A proportion is a statement that two ratios are equal. Written as A/B = C/D, it means the relationship between A and B is the same as the relationship between C and D. Proportions are fundamental in mathematics and appear in everyday situations like scaling recipes, maps, and unit conversions.

How do I use this Proportion Solver?

Enter three known numeric values into any three of the four fields (A, B, C, D) and type 'x' into the field whose value you want to find. The solver will automatically apply cross multiplication to compute the missing value. Exactly one field must contain 'x'.

How does cross multiplication work to solve proportions?

Cross multiplication works by multiplying the numerator of one ratio by the denominator of the other. For A/B = C/D, you get A × D = B × C. Rearranging this equation lets you isolate whichever variable is unknown. For example, if x is in place of C, then x = (A × D) / B.

What are directly proportional and inversely proportional relationships?

Two quantities are directly proportional when they increase or decrease together at the same rate — doubling one doubles the other. They are inversely proportional when one increases as the other decreases, such that their product stays constant. This solver handles direct proportions of the form A/B = C/D.

Can I place x in any of the four positions?

Yes. The solver accepts x in any single position — A, B, C, or D. The cross multiplication formula is rearranged automatically depending on which position holds the unknown, so you always get the correct result regardless of where x appears.

What is the constant of proportionality?

The constant of proportionality is the fixed ratio that relates two proportional quantities. In A/B = C/D, the constant k = A/B = C/D. Knowing this constant lets you predict any value in the proportional relationship once one value is given.

Can proportion calculations involve decimals and fractions?

Yes. You can enter decimal numbers such as 1.5, 0.75, or 3.14 into any of the fields. The solver handles decimal inputs and returns a decimal result. If you need to work with fractions, convert them to their decimal equivalents before entering them.

What are real-world examples of proportions?

Proportions appear in many everyday contexts: scaling a recipe (if 2 cups of flour make 12 cookies, how much flour makes 30 cookies?), map reading (1 cm = 50 km), currency exchange, and mixing paint colors. Any situation where two ratios must stay equal involves a proportion.

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