proportion

Everyday

1. A proportion is a part of a whole, thought of as a share: "a large proportion of the class walks to school". tree →
2. Proportion is how big one thing is compared with another: the ratio between them. tree →
3. In maths, a proportion is a statement that two ratios are equal, like 1 : 2 = 3 : 6. tree →
4. Proportions (plural) are the size and shape of something: "a room of huge proportions". tree →
5. In proportion means the right size compared with other parts; out of proportion means too big or too small, or (about feelings) blown up too much. tree →

In the lessons

In school maths proportion is about sharing, scaling recipes and maps, ratios, fractions and percentages: if two amounts are in proportion, doubling one doubles the other. In art and science it tells about sizes compared. In everyday talk "blown out of proportion" means made to seem much worse than it is. Phrases: in proportion to, a proportion of, direct proportion, out of proportion, sense of proportion.

Examples

• A large proportion of the pupils have a pet. tree →
• What proportion of the pizza did you eat? tree →
• The recipe uses flour and sugar in the proportion 3 to 1. tree →
• Six is to twelve as two is to four, so the numbers are in proportion. tree →
• His drawing of the dog's head is out of proportion with its body. tree →
• Don't blow a small argument out of proportion. tree →
• The cost goes up in proportion to the number of tickets. tree →
• The castle hall was of enormous proportions. tree →
• Then he gave each man presents in proportion to his rank. tree →

Note

Countable when it means a share (a proportion, proportions); "a proportion of" is followed by a plural or uncountable noun. In maths, "in direct proportion" means when one amount is multiplied by a number, the other is multiplied by the same number. A proportion is often written as a fraction or a percentage: "a proportion of 1/4" = 25 percent. Do not confuse proportion (a part compared with the whole) with portion (a serving or piece).

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: In Sefer Yetzirah the number ten is seen as holding all numbers and their balanced relations. This reflects the idea that creation is orderly and measured. In the primary lessons: In school maths proportion is about sharing, scaling recipes and maps, ratios, fractions and percentages: if two amounts are in proportion, doubling one doubles the other. In art and science it tells about sizes compared. In everyday talk "blown out of proportion" means made to seem much worse than it is. Phrases: in proportion to, a proportion of, direct proportion, out of proportion, sense of proportion.

Examples

• The Decad, which is the sum of the four former, comprehends all arithmetical and musical proportions. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Countable when it means a share (a proportion, proportions); "a proportion of" is followed by a plural or uncountable noun. In maths, "in direct proportion" means when one amount is multiplied by a number, the other is multiplied by the same number. A proportion is often written as a fraction or a percentage: "a proportion of 1/4" = 25 percent. Do not confuse proportion (a part compared with the whole) with portion (a serving or piece).