Proportion (AQA GCSE Maths): Flashcards

What is proportion?

Relationship between two quantities and how they change in relation to each other

Direct proportion: how do quantities change?

Quantities change in same direction at consistent rate

Direct proportion method (2 steps)

1. Find unit rate
2. Multiply by required amount

Give an example of direct proportion

Items purchased and total cost

Inverse proportion: how do quantities change?

Quantities change in opposite directions

Inverse proportion key characteristic

Multiplying two quantities together always gives same result

Inverse proportion method (2 steps)

1. Calculate total work
2. Divide by new quantity

Give an example of inverse proportion

Speed and journey time for fixed distance

When should you multiply in proportion problems?

Direct relationship: more input gives more output

When should you divide in proportion problems?

Inverse relationship: more resources gives less time needed