Proportion: meaning, definitions and examples

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proportion

 

[ prəˈpɔːʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

mathematics

A proportional relationship between two quantities, where they have a constant ratio.

Synonyms

fraction, ratio, relationship

Examples of usage

  • The proportion of boys to girls in the class is 3:2.
  • The recipe calls for a proportion of 2 cups of flour to 1 cup of sugar.
Context #2 | Noun

art

The relative size, scale, or extent of different elements within a whole.

Synonyms

balance, harmony, symmetry

Examples of usage

  • The artist paid careful attention to the proportion of the human figure in the painting.
  • The building's proportions were aesthetically pleasing.
Context #3 | Noun

statistics

A part, share, or number considered in comparative relation to a whole.

Synonyms

fraction, percentage, portion

Examples of usage

  • The proportion of people who preferred option A was higher than expected.
  • What proportion of the budget should be allocated to marketing?

Translations

Translations of the word "proportion" in other languages:

🇵🇹 proporção

🇮🇳 अनुपात

🇩🇪 Verhältnis

🇮🇩 proporsi

🇺🇦 пропорція

🇵🇱 proporcja

🇯🇵 割合

🇫🇷 proportion

🇪🇸 proporción

🇹🇷 oran

🇰🇷 비율

🇸🇦 نسبة

🇨🇿 proporce

🇸🇰 proporcia

🇨🇳 比例

🇸🇮 delež

🇮🇸 hlutfall

🇰🇿 пропорция

🇬🇪 პროპორცია

🇦🇿 nisbət

🇲🇽 proporción

Word origin

The word 'proportion' originated from the Latin word 'proportio', meaning comparative relation, ratio, or analogy. It has been used in various fields such as mathematics, art, and statistics to describe the relationship between different elements or quantities. The concept of proportion has been fundamental in understanding ratios, scales, and distributions in different disciplines.