CONTINUED RATIO
If three quantities are such that the ratio of the first two is a : b and the ratio of the last two is b : c, then the three quantities are said to be in the ‘Continued Ratio’ = a : b : c. here we can notice that in 1st ratio b is consequent and in 2nd ratio b is antecedent. It would be useful to remember that if the ratio of two quantities be a : b then the two quantities can be expressed as ak and bk. If the continued ratio of three quantities be a : b : c then the three quantities can be expressed as ak, bk and ck
There are some example are given below for your better understanding –
Example.1) If a : b = 3 : 5 and b : c = 5 : 7, then find a : b : c = ?
Ans.) If a : b = 3 : 5 and b : c = 5 : 7,
then a : b : c = 3 : 5 : 7
Example.2) x : y = 3 : 5 and y : z = 15 : 22, then find x : y : z = ?
Ans.) As per the given condition, in 1st ratio x : y = 3 : 5 , here y = 5
but in 2nd ratio y : z = 15 : 22, y = 15
So, 15 ÷ 5 = 3 ,
Now we have to multiply by 3 with 1st ratio x : y = 3 : 5
= ( 3 X 3 ) : ( 5 X 3 ) = 9 : 15
And we have 2nd ratio which is y : z = 15 : 22
Now, in above both the ratio now y = 15
So, now x : y : z = 9 : 15 : 22
Example.3) x : y = 24 : 21 and y : z = 7 : 5, then find x : y : z = ?
Ans.) As per the given condition, in 1st ratio x : y = 24 : 21 , here y = 21
but in 2nd ratio y : z = 7 : 5, y = 7
So, 21 ÷ 7 = 3 ,
Now we have to multiply by 3 with 2nd ratio x : y = 7 : 5
= ( 7 X 3 ) : ( 5 X 3 ) = 21 : 15
And we have 1st ratio which is x : y = 24 : 21
Now, in above both the ratio now y = 21
So, now x : y : z = 24 : 21 : 15
= 8 : 7 : 5 ( via simplification )
Another way
As per the given condition, in 1st ratio x : y = 24 : 21, here y = 21
but in 2nd ratio y : z = 7 : 5, y = 7
If we simplify 1st ratio then we find x : y = 24 : 21 = 8 : 7
Now, we find in both 1st & 2nd ratio y = 7
So, now we have x : y = 8 : 7 and y : z = 7 : 5
Now we can find that, x : y : z = 8 : 7 : 5
Example.4) Arrange the given ratio in ascending order –
a) 4 : 5, 6 : 7 , b) 5 : 8, 5 : 11, c) 7 : 11, 9 : 11
a) 4 : 5, 6 : 7
Ans.) Since the ratio have different consequents and antecedents, we will change them into like fractions.
The LCM of the consequents 5 & 7 = 35
4 4 X ( LCM ÷ 5 ) 4 X 7
Now, 4 : 5 = ------- = ----------------- = ----------
5 4 X ( LCM ÷ 5 ) 5 X 7
= --------- = 28 : 35
35
6 6 X ( LCM ÷ 7 ) 6 X 5
Now, 6 : 7 = ------- = ----------------- = ---------
7 7 X ( LCM ÷ 7 ) 7 X 5
30= -------- = 30 : 35
35
In above-obtained ratio we can observe that, 30 > 28 where consequent for the both ratio is 35
So, we can say that 30 : 35 > 28 : 35 thus 6 : 7 > 4 : 5 (Ans.)
b) 9 : 8, 7 : 11
Ans.) Since the ratio have different consequents and antecedents, we will change them into like fractions.
The LCM of the consequents 8 & 11 = 88
9 9 X ( LCM ÷ 8 ) 9 X 11
Now, 9 : 8 = ------- = ----------------- = ----------
8 8 X ( LCM ÷ 8 ) 8 X 11
= -------- = 99 : 88
88
7 7 X ( LCM ÷ 11 ) 7 X 8
Now, 7 : 11 = ------- = ----------------- = ----------
11 11 X ( LCM ÷ 11 ) 11 X 8
56
= --------- = 56 : 88
88
In above-obtained ratio we can observe that, 99 > 56 where consequent for both ratio is 88.
So, we can say that 99 : 88 > 56 : 88 thus 9 : 8 > 7 : 11 (Ans.)
c) 7 : 11, 9 : 11
Ans.) The ratio has the same consequences. So, the ratio with the greater antecedent will be greater. Thus, 9 : 11 > 7 : 11 (Ans.)
Example.5) There are some ratio has been given, such as 3 : 5, 4 : 7 and 3 : 2. Which of the following ratio is the biggest and which is the smallest ?
Ans.) Since the ratio have different consequents and antecedents, we will change them into like fractions.
The LCM of the consequents 5, 7, 2 = 70
3 3 X ( LCM ÷ 5 ) 3 X 14
Now, 3 : 5 = -------- = ----------------- = ----------
5 5 X ( LCM ÷ 5 ) 5 X 14
42
= --------- = 42 : 70
70
4 4 X ( LCM ÷ 7 ) 4 X 10
Now, 4 : 7 = --------- = ---------------- = ---------
7 7 X ( LCM ÷ 7 ) 7 X 10
= -------- = 40 : 70
70
3 3 X ( LCM ÷ 2 ) 3 X 35
Now, 3 : 2 = -------- = ---------------- = ----------
2 2 X ( LCM ÷ 2 ) 2 X 35
= -------- = 105 : 70
70
In the above-obtained ratio we can observe that, 105 > 42 > 40 where consequent for the both ratio is 70.
So, we can say that 105 : 70 > 42 : 70 > 40 : 70 thus 3 : 2 > 3 : 5 > 4 : 7
So, the smallest ratio is = 4 : 7 and the biggest ratio is = 3 : 2 (Ans.)