Question

Check whether $2\frac{1}{2},7\frac{1}{2},3,8\frac{1}{2}$ are proportional or not:

Answer 1

Explanation:

Four quantities are said to be in proportion when,

$\text{Product of extremes terms = Product of means terms}$,

The first and last terms are called extremes terms, while the second and third terms are called middle or means terms.

Product of extremes terms $=2\frac{1}{2}\times 8\frac{1}{2}=\frac{2\times 2+1}{2}\times \frac{2\times 8+1}{2}=\frac{5}{2}\times \frac{17}{2}=\frac{85}{4}$

Product of means terms $=7\frac{1}{2}\times 3=\frac{7\times 2+1}{2}\times 3=\frac{15}{2}\times 3=\frac{45}{2}$

Therefore, $\text{Product of extremes terms ≠ Product of means terms}$

Hence, $2\frac{1}{2},7\frac{1}{2},3,8\frac{1}{2}$ are not proportional.