Unit 4: Proportions Word Problems

Now that we have practiced solving for a missing proportion component, it's important to also understand how to set up a proportion with a word problem. Let's take a look at the following example:

If 12 eggs cost $1.49, how much do 18 eggs cost?

It's important to remember our box : gloves :: box : gloves example. You cannot write a proportion box : gloves :: gloves : box That is not a correct proportion. Whatever the labeling is, they must be set up in the box : gloves :: box : gloves format in order for the means multiplying extremes to work out correctly.

Next, it is important to keep together any numbers that are presented as a pair. For example, the first part of the above example says that 12 eggs cost $1.49. Those two items are paired together. They are a box and a glove. For every 12 eggs they will cost $1.49, just like for every 1 box there are 100 gloves.

Now try the methods discussed to solve the following problems. Please include the proper proportion you used in your answer:

 

1) A tablet contains 325 milligrams of medication. How many caplets contain 975 milligrams of medication?

2) If a dose of 100 milligrams is in 8 tablets, how many tablets are in 40 milligrams?

3) If 35 grams are pure drug are contained in 150 milliliters, how many grams are contained in 75 milliliters?

4) Two tablets of ulcer medication contain 350 milligrams of medication. How many milligrams are in twelve tablets?

5) If 1 kilogram equals 2.2 pounds, how many kilograms are in 61.6 pounds?

6) If 2 caps are 1.5 milligrams, how many caps are in 4.5 milligrams?

7) A doctor has asked for a milliliter measurement of medication, but the office currently only has milligrams on hand. The doctor has asked for 8 milligrams of medication per 2.5 milliliter. If you only have 4 milligrams of medication, how many milliliter can you produce?

8) One tablet has 0.3 milligrams. How many tablets are in 6 milligrams?

9) 4 tablets contain 6 milligrams. How many milligrams are in 0.5 tablets?

10) The doctor has asked the patient to receive 2 caplets of medicine, but not to exceed 1,500 milligrams. If 1 caplet is 600 milligrams, how many milligrams are in 2 caplets?

11) If one glass of milk contains 280 milligrams of calcium, how much calcium is in 1.5 glasses of milk?

12) One-half cup of baked beans contains 430 milligrams of sodium. How many milligrams of sodium are there in 3/4 cup of baked beans?

13) A 1/2 cup serving of fruit cocktail contains 55 milligrams of potassium. How many milligrams of potassium are in 2 cups of fruit cocktail?

14) Old-fashioned oatmeal contains 27 grams of carbohydrates per 1/2 cup of dry oats. How many grams of carbohydrates are available in 2 1/4 cups of dry oats?

15) If 1/2 cups of soup has 120 milliliter, how many milliliter are in 3 1/2 cups of soup?

16) If one can's food label reads as 2.5 servings, how many cans are needed to serve 10 people?

17) One serving of Greek yogurt contains 90 calories. How many calories are in 4.5 servings?

18) 1 glass contains 8 ounces. How many full glasses are in 78 ounces?

19) Four out of every six dental patients request fluoride treatment after their dental cleaning treatments. If 120 patients have dental cleanings this week how many will choose to have fluoride treatments?

20) A tablet contains 30 milligrams of medication. How many tablets will be needed to provide Ms. Smith with 240 milligrams of medication?

 

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