Question Bank

Ratio and Proportion

1.

2.

If (6x2 3y2) : x2 + y2 is equal to 6 : 25, find the value of x : y.

6x 2 3y 2
6
=
Solution.
x2 + y 2
25
25 (6x2 3y2) = 6 (x2 + y2)
150x2 75y2
= 6x2 + 6y2
144x2
= 81y2
x2
81
=

y2
144
x2
(9) 2
=

y2
(12) 2
9
3
x

=
=
y 12
4

x:y
=3:4
If a : b = 5 : 3, find (5a + 8b) : (6a 7b).
Solution. Let a : b = 5 : 3
a
5

=
b
3
5a + 8b
Now, (5a + 8b) : (6a 7b) =
6a 7b
a
5 +8
= b
a
6 7
b
[Dividing Nr and Dr by b]

Math Class X

Question Bank

5
+8
3
=
5
6 7
3
= 49 : 9
Find the compounded ratio of duplicate ratio of
5 : 6, the reciprocal ratio of 25 : 32 and sub-duplicate ratio of
81 : 64.
Solution. Duplicate ratio of 5 : 6 = 52 : 62 = 25 : 36
1
1
Reciprocal ratio of 25 : 32 =
:
= 32 : 25
25 32
Sub-duplicate ratio of 81 : 64 = 81 : 64 = 9 : 8
9
25 32

Compounded ratio of the above ratios =
25 8
36
1
= =1:1
1
Hence, the required ratio is 1 : 1.
If (4x + 3) : (9x + 10) is the triplicate ratio of 3 : 4, find the value
of x.
Solution. Triplicate ratio of 3 : 4 = 33 : 43 = 27 : 64
(4x + 3) : (9x + 10) = 27 : 64
4x + 3
27
=

9x + 10
64
256x + 192 = 243x + 270
256x 243x = 270 192
78
=6
x=
13
Hence, x = 6
5

3.

4.

Math Class X

Question Bank

5.

6.

If a > x > 0, prove that (a2 x2) : (a2 + x2) > (a x) : (a + x)

Solution. We know that a : b > c : d if ad > bc
Therefore, (a2 x2) : (a2 + x2) > (a x) : (a + x)
if (a2 x2) (a + x) > (a2 + x2) (a x)
... (i)
Now (a2 x2) (a + x) = a3 + a2x x2a x3
2
2
3
2
3
(ii)
And (a + x )(x x) = a a2x + x a x
From (i) and (ii), we have
(a2 x2) (a + x) (a2 + x2) (a x) = 2a2x 2x2a = 2ax (a x) > 0
[Since a > x > 0]
(a2 x2) (a + x) > (a2 + x2) (a x)
Hence, (a2 x2) : (a2 + x2) > (a x) : (a + x) Proved.
If (x + 3y) : (5x 2y) = (4x + y) : (8x 4y), where x 0, y 0, then
find y : x.
Solution. We have (x + 3y) : (5x 2y) = (4x + y) : (8x 4y)
x + 3y
4x + y

=
5x 2y
8 x 4y
y
y
1+3
4+
x =
x

y
y
52
84
x
x
1 + 3b
4+b
y
=

, where = b
5 2b 8 4b
x
(1 + 3b) (8 4b) = (5 2b) (4 + b)
8 4b + 24b 12b2 = 20 + 5b 8b 2b2
12b2 + 2b2 + 20b + 3b + 8 20 = 0
10b2 + 23b 12 = 0
10b2 23b + 12 = 0
10b2 15b 8b + 12 = 0
5b (2b 3) 4 (2b 3) = 0
(2b 3) (5b 4) = 0
2b 3 = 0 or 5b 4 = 0

Math Class X

Question Bank

3
4
or b =
2
5
3
y 4
If b = , then
= y:x=3:2
2
x 5
4
y 4
y:x=4:5
If b = , then =
5
x 5
Hence, y : x = 3 : 2 or 4 : 5
In a marriage party the ratio of number of men to that of women is
4 : 3. If there were 20 men less and 10 women less, then the ratio
would have been 5 : 4. How many people were there in the party?
Solution. Let the number of men and that of women in the party be
4x and 3x respectively.
New number of men = 4x 20
And new number of women = 3x 10
And new ratio = 5 : 4
4x 20 : 3x 10 = 5 : 4
4 x 20
5
=

3 x 10
4
16x 80 = 15x 50
x = 30
No. of men in the party = 4x = 4 30 = 120
No. of women in the party = 3x = 3 30 = 90
Hence, total number of people in the party = 120 + 90 = 210
If x2, 4 and 9 are in continued proportion, find x.
Solution. Given, x2, 4 and 9 are in continued proportion.
x2 : 4 : : 4 : 9
x2
4
=

9x2 = 16
4
9
16
4
x2 =
x=
9
3

7.

8.

Math Class X

b=

Question Bank

9.

(i) What number should be subtracted from each of the following

numbers 23, 30, 57 and 78 so that the remainders are in
proportion?
(ii) What least number must be added to each of the numbers 5,
11, 19 and 37 so that they are in proportion?
Solution. (i) Let the required number be x.
According to given condition,
23 x, 30 x, 57 x and 78 x are in proportion.
23 x
57 x

=
30 x
78 x

(23 x) (78 x) = (30 x) (57 x)

1794 78x 23x + x2 = 1710 57x 30x + x2

1794 101x + x2 = 1710 87x + x2

1794 1710 = 87x + 101x

84 = 14x
84

x=
=6
14
Hence, the required number is 6.
(ii) Let the required number be x.
Then, (5 + x) : (11 + x) : : (19 + x) : (37 + x)

(5 + x)(37 + x) = (11 + x)(19 + x)

[Product of means = product of extremes]

x2 + 42x + 185 = x2 + 30x + 209

12x = 24

x=2
Hence, the required number is 2.

Math Class X

Question Bank

10.

If a, b, c, d are in continued proportion, prove that

( a b)3
a
=
(i)
d
(b c)3
(ii)
ab + bc cd = (a + b c) (b + c d )
Solution. Given, a, b, c, d are in continued proportion
a b
c

= =
= k (say)
b c
d
c = kd

b = kc = k . k 2 d ... (i)
a = kb = k . k 2 d = k 3 d

( a b )3
(k 3d k 2 d )
(i) L.H.S. =
=
(b c)3
(k 2 d kd )

[Using (i)]

k 2 d (k 1)
= k3
=
3
[ kd (k 1)]
a
k 3d
=
= k3
R.H.S. =
d
d
From (ii) and (iii) L.H.S. = R.H.S. Proved

...(ii)
...(iii)

(ii) L.H.S. = ab + bc cd
= k 3 d. k 2 d + k 2 d. kd kd. d
= k 5d 2 + k 2 d 2
=d

[Using (i)]

k 2d 2

k (k 2 + k 1)

... (iv)

R.H.S. = (a + b c) (b + c d )
= (k 2 d + k 2 d kd ) (k 2 d + kd d ) [Using (i)]
=

kd (k 2 + k 1)d (k 2 + k 1)

= d k (k 2 + k 1)
Math Class X

Question Bank

11.

12.

From (iv) and (v) L.H.S. = R.H.S. Proved

If b is the mean proportional between a and c, prove that
abc (a + b + c)3 = (ab + bc + ca)3
Solution : If b is the mean proportional between a and c, then
b2 = ac
b2
3
Now, abc (a + b + c) =
bc (a + b + c)3
c
... (i)
= b3 (a + b + c)3
3
2 3
And, (ab + bc + ca) = (ab + bc + b )
= b3 (a + c + b)
... (ii)
= b3(a + b + c)
3
From (i) and (ii), we have abc (a + b + c) = (ab + bc + ca)3 Proved.
a
c
e
If , =
prove that
=
b
d
f
a2
c2
e 2 ac
ce
ae
+
+
=
+
+
2

d2
f 2 bd
df
bf
b
a
c
e
Solution : We have, =
= k (say)
=
b
d
f
a = bk, c = dk, e = fk
a2
c2
e2
b2 k 2
d 2k 2
f 2k 2
+
LHS
= 2 + 2 + 2 = 2 +
2
b
d
f
b
d
f2
... (i)
= (k2 + k2 + k2) = 3k2
ac
ce
ae
a c
c e
e a
RHS
=
+
+
=
.
+ .
+
.
bd
df
bf
b d
d f
f b
... (ii)
= k . k + k . k + k . k = 3k2
Hence,LHS = RHS Proved.

Math Class X

Question Bank

13.

14.

x
y
z
=
=
prove that each ratio is equal
b+ca
c+ab
a+bc
x + y +z
to .
a+bc
x
y
z
Solution : Let
=
=
= k (say) ... (i)
b+ca
c+ab
a+bc
x = k (b + c a), y = k (c + a b), z = k(a + b c).
x + y +z
Now,
= k(b + c a) + k (c + a b)+ k (a + b c)
a+bc
a+b+c
k(b + c a + c + a b + a + b c)
=
a+b+c
k(a + b + c)
=k
=
... (ii)
a+b+c
x+y +z
Hence, each of the given ratios is equal to
Proved.
a+b+c
If ax = by = cz, prove that
x2
y2
z2
bc
ca
ab
+
+
+ 2 + 2 + 2
yz
zx
xy
a
b
c
Solution : We have, ax = by = cz
x
y
z

=
=
= k (say)
bc
ac
ab
x = kbc, y = kac, z = kab
x2
y2
z2
+
+
Now, LHS =
yz
zx
xy
k 2 b2c 2
k 2 a 2c 2
k 2 a 2b 2
=
+
+
kac kab
kac kab
kac kab
bc
ac
ab
= 2 + 2 + 2 = RHS. Proved.
a
b
c

If

Math Class X

Question Bank

15.

x
y
z
ax + by
by + cz
c 2 + ax
If 2
then
prove
that
=
=
.
=
=
a
b
c
a + b2
b2 + c 2
c2 + a2
a
c
e
Solution : We know that if =
, then each ratio is equal to
=
b
d
f
a+c+e
... (i)
b+d +f
a
c
ac
Also, if = , then each ratio is equal to
... (ii)
b
d
bd
ax + by
by + cz
cz + ax
=
=
a 2 + b2
b2 + c2
c2 + a2
ax + by + by + cz + cz + ax
Each ratio = 2
a + b2 + b2 + c2 + c 2 + a 2
[By property (i)]
ax + by + cz
Each ratio = 2
a + b2 + c2
ax + by + cz
ax + by
=
Now, 2
a + b2 + c2
a 2 + b2
ax + by + cz (ax + by)
Each ratio = 2
a + b 2 + c 2 (a 2 + b 2 )
[By property (ii)]
cz
z
... (iii)
Each ratio = 2 =
c
c
ax + by + cz
by + cz
=
Similarly, 2
a + b2 + c2
b2 + c2
ax + by + cz (by + cz)
ax
x
... (iv)
Each ratio = 2
=
=
a + b 2 + c 2 (b 2 + c 2 )
a2
a
ax + by + cz
cz + ax
And 2
a + b2 + c2
c2 + a2
ax + by + cz (cz + ax)
by
y
... (v)
Each ratio = 2
=
=
a + b 2 + c 2 (c 2 + a 2 )
b2
b

Math Class X

Question Bank

From (iii), (iv) and (v), we get

x
y
z
=
Each ratio = =
a
b
c
x
y
z
=
=
Proved.

a
b
c
a
c
a + 3b + 2c + 6d
a + 3b 2c 6d
=
16. If
, prove that
=
.
a 3b + 2c 6d
a 3b 2 c + 6 d
b
d
a + 3b + 2c + 6d
a + 3b 2c 6d
=
Solution.
a 3b + 2c 6d
a 3b 2c + 6d
(a + 3b) (2c + 6d )
(a + 3b) (2c + 6d )
=
(a 3b) + (2c 6d )
(a 3b) (2c 6d )
(a + 3b) + (2c + 6d ) (a + 3b) (2c + 6d )

=
(a + 3b) (2c 6d )
(a 3b) (2c 6d )
(a + 3b) + (2c + 6d ) (a 3b) + (2c + 6d )

[By alternendo]
=
(a + 3b) (2c + 6d )
(a 3b) (2c 6d )
(a + 3b) + (2c + 6d ) + (a + 3b) (2c + 6d )

(a + 3b) + (2c + 6d ) (a 3b) + (2c + 6d )

(a 3b) + (2c + 6d ) + (a 3b) (2c 6d )
=
(a 3b) + (2c + 6d ) (a 3b) + (2c 6d )
[By componendo and dividendo]
2(a + 3b)
2(a 3b)

=
2(2c + 6d )
2(2c 6d )
a + 3b
a 3b

=
2c + 6d
2c 6 d
a + 3b
2c + 6d

=
[By alternendo]
a 3b
2c 6d
2 ( c + 3d )
c + 3d
=
=
2 ( c 3d )
c 3d

Math Class X

10

Question Bank

( a + 3b ) + (a 3b)
( a + 3b ) (a 3b)

(c +
(c +

3d ) + (c 3d )

3d ) (c 3d )
[By componendo & dividendo]
2a 2c
=
6b 6d
a
c
=
b
d

Hence . Proved
a + 3b + a 3b
17. If x =
, prove that 3bx2 2ax + 3b = 0.
a + 3b a 3b
Solution. We have
x
a + 3b + a 3b
=
[Given]
1
a + 3b a 3b
a + 3b + a 3b + a + 3b a 3b
x+1

=
x1
a + 3b + a 3b a + 3b a 3b

(
(

Math Class X

)
)

[By componendo and dividendo]

2 a + 3b

x+1
=
x1
2 a 3b
x+1
a + 3b
=
x1
a 3b
2
( x + 1)
(a + 3b)
=
[On squaring both sides]
( a 3b )
( x 1) 2
( x + 1) 2 + (x 1) 2
(a + 3b) + (a 3b)
=
=
( x + 1) 2 (x 1) 2
( c + 3b ) ( a 3 b )
[By componendo and dividendo]
2a
2( x 2 + 1)
=
4x
6b
11

Question Bank

a
x2 + 1

=
a+b
2x
2

3bx + 3b = 2ax
2

3bx 2ax + 3b = 0
Hence,
3bx2 2ax + 3b = 0.
6ab
x + 3a
x + 3b
+
18. If x =
, prove that
=2
a+b
x 3a
x 3b
Solution. We have,
6ab
(i)
x =
a+b
x
2b

=
a+b
3a
x + 3a 2b + a + b

=
x + 3a 2b a b
[Applying componendo and dividendo]
x + 3a 3b + a

=
(ii)
ba
x 3a
x
2a
Again, from (i)
=
3b a + b
x + 3b 3a + b
=
(iii)
x 3b
ab
Adding (ii) and (iii), we get,
x + 3a
x + 3b 3b + a
3a + b
+
=
+
ba
ab
x 3a
x 3b
3b + a
3a + b
=

ba
ba
2b + 2a 2(b a)
=
=2
=
ba
ba
Hence,

Math Class X

x + 3a
x + 3b
= 2 Proved
=
x 3a
x 3b
12

Question Bank

4x 1
2
x+1 x1
x+1+ x1
4x 1
Solution. We have,
=
2
x+1 x1
x+1+ x1+ x+1 x1
4x 1 + 2

=
4x 1 2
x+1+ x1 x+1+ x1
[By componendo and dividendo]
2 x + 1 4x + 1
=

4x 3
2 x1
x + 1 (4 x + 1) 2
=

x 1 (4 x 3) 2
x+1x1
(4 x + 1) 2 + (4 x 3) 2
=

(4 x + 1) 2 (4 x 3) 2
x+1x+1
[By componendo and dividendo]
16x 2 + 1 + 8x + 16 x 2 + 9 24 x

x=
16x 2 + 1 + 8x 16 x 2 + 9 + 24 x
32x 2 16x + 10

x=
32x 8
2
2

32x 8x = 32x 16x + 10

8x = 10
10
5
=

x =
8
4
pab
x + pa
x + pb
2(a 2 b 2 )
20. If, x =
prove that

=
a+b
x pa
x pb
ab
pab
Solution. We have x =
a+b

19.

Solve for x :

Math Class X

x+1+

x1

13

Question Bank

Math Class X

x
b
x
a
=
and
=
pa
a+b
pb
a+b
x + pa
b + a+b
x + pb
a + a+b
and
=
=
x pa
b ab
x pb
a ab
x + pa
a + 2b
x + pb
2a + b
and
=
=
x pa
a
x pb
b
x + pa x + pb
a + 2b 2a + b

=
+
x pa
x pb
a
b
(ab + 2b 2 ) + (2a 2 + ab)
=
ab
2
2
2a 2b
2(a 2 b 2 )
=
=
Proved.
ab
ab

14

Question Bank