WorkedMathGlossary

Proportion Calculator

Enter three known values below to instantly solve the proportion for x.

Solve a/b = c/x for x

/=/ x
x
12

Solving a Proportion

For a/b = c/x, cross-multiply: x = (b × c) ÷ a.

Worked example

Solve 3/4 = 9/x.

x = (4 × 9) ÷ 3 = 36 ÷ 3

x = 12

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you solve a proportion?

Cross-multiply: for a/b = c/x, that gives a × x = b × c, so x = (b × c) ÷ a.

What is a proportion in math?

A proportion is a statement that two ratios are equal, written as a/b = c/d. Solving one means finding a missing value that keeps both ratios equivalent.

What's a real-world example of a proportion?

Scaling a recipe (if 2 cups of flour makes 12 cookies, how much flour makes 30 cookies?) or converting a scale drawing to real-world size are both proportion problems.

Related Calculators

View all calculators →

Related Terms