- Definition
When two things are proportional, it means they grow or shrink at the same rate, keeping their relationship consistent, like how 1 apple for every 2 bananas is the same ratio as 2 apples for every 4 bananas.
If a map scale is 1 inch for every 5 miles, then 3 inches is proportional because it represents 15 miles.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Proportional is like doubling a recipe — if you use twice as much flour, you need to use twice as much sugar to keep the taste the same.
Ask your child: If a recipe needs 2 eggs per cup of flour, what if we use 4 eggs?
Common mix-up: Kids often think you can just add the same number to both parts of a ratio. A proportional relationship means you multiply or divide both parts by the same number to keep them balanced.
Examples
- If 2 tickets cost $10, a proportional price for 5 tickets would be $25.
- A photo that is 4 inches wide and 6 inches tall is proportional to a poster that is 8 inches wide and 12 inches tall.
proportional is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
