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GCSE Maths: Ratio and Proportion

Practise GCSE Maths ratio and proportion with problems on sharing quantities, simplifying ratios and direct/inverse proportion. AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas.

RatioFoundation & HigherAQA · Edexcel · OCR · Eduqas

What you need to know

The concepts examiners test on ratio and proportion, and what each one is really asking.

Simplifying ratios
Sharing in a given ratio
Direct proportion
Inverse proportion
Ratio word problems

Where marks get lost

The exam technique that separates a correct method from a correct answer.

  • Simplify ratios by dividing all parts by the HCF
  • To share in ratio a:b, find the total parts then multiply
  • Direct proportion: y = kx; inverse proportion: y = k/x

Ratio and Proportion questions students ask

How do I share an amount in a ratio?

Add the parts of the ratio to find the total number of parts. Divide the amount by the total parts to find one part, then multiply each ratio value by one part.

What is the difference between direct and inverse proportion?

In direct proportion, both quantities increase together (y ∝ x). In inverse proportion, as one increases the other decreases (y ∝ 1/x).