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SAT Math skill page

SAT Ratios and Proportions Practice

Use ratios, unit rates, and proportions to solve SAT word problems without losing track of the parts.

Practice ratios and proportions in DolphinPractice questions
10-16 min practice time3 questions on pageProblem Solving and Data Analysis
Practice time10-16 min
Practice questions3 questions
Best forProblem Solving and Data Analysis

What this tests

What to know for this SAT skill

Dolphin practice questions

Practice your skill

Question 1 of 3Easy
The ratio of red beads to blue beads is 3:5. If there are 40 beads total, how many are blue?
  1. 15
  2. 20
  3. 24
  4. 25
Show answer and solution
Correct answerD. 25

Solution walkthrough

  1. There are 3 + 5 = 8 total ratio parts.
  2. Each part is 40 / 8 = 5 beads.
  3. Blue beads are 5 parts, so 5(5) = 25.
Question 2 of 3Medium
On a map, 2 inches represents 15 miles. How many miles are represented by 6 inches?
  1. 30
  2. 35
  3. 40
  4. 45
Show answer and solution
Correct answerD. 45

Solution walkthrough

  1. Six inches is 3 times 2 inches, so the distance is 3 times 15 miles, or 45 miles.
Question 3 of 3Hard
A snack mix has almonds and cashews in a ratio of 4:3. If the mix contains 18 cashews, how many total nuts are in the mix?
  1. 24
  2. 30
  3. 36
  4. 42
Show answer and solution
Correct answerD. 42

Solution walkthrough

  1. Cashews represent 3 parts.
  2. If 3 parts equals 18, then 1 part equals 6.
  3. The total ratio has 7 parts, so the mix has 7(6) = 42 nuts.

Avoid these traps

Common mistakes on this skill

Using one part as the whole

In a ratio like 3:5, the whole is 8 parts, not 5 parts.

Mixing part-to-part and part-to-whole

Read whether the question asks for one group, another group, or the total.

Scaling only one quantity

When a proportion changes, every related quantity must scale by the same factor.

Study plan

How to practice this skill in Dolphin

Dolphin Web gives you a personalized SAT study plan with lessons, unlimited Pip AI help, practice questions, full-length tests, and mistake review. The iPhone and Android apps are free. See plans.

  1. Add ratio parts when the question asks for the total.
  2. Find the value of one part before finding a specific group.
  3. Use tables to keep proportional quantities aligned.
  4. Check whether your answer is a part, a total, or a rate.
Practice ratios and proportions in Dolphin

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FAQ

Questions about SAT Ratios and Proportions Practice

What is the difference between a ratio and a proportion?

A ratio compares quantities. A proportion says two ratios are equal and lets you scale from one situation to another.

Why do ratios show up so much on the SAT?

Ratios connect to rates, scale drawings, mixtures, data tables, and many real-world word problems.

What is the most common ratio mistake?

Students often treat one side of the ratio as the whole instead of adding all parts to find the total.