Proportional Scaling Practice Test Worksheets
Proportional scaling questions test whether you can read a table for one fraction of a whole, then scale the correct ingredient, nutrient, liquid, or material up to the amount used.
For students who understand fractions, but need focused practice applying them to real-world tables and units.
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What Do Proportional Scaling Questions Look Like?
Proportional scaling questions test whether you can read a table for one fraction of a whole, then scale the correct ingredient, nutrient, liquid, or material up to the amount used. Students must locate the target row, check the unit of measurement, and multiply the fractional base value by the requested numerator. Here is a worked example.
Scaling from a Quarter
Question: The table shows the pigment values for a litre of paint mix. Clara uses 3/4 of the paint mix. Determine the volume of acrylic medium (in ml) that Clara uses.
Step 1: The table value is for 1/4 litre: 6.9 ml of acrylic medium.
Step 2: Clara uses 3/4, so she uses 3 lots of the 1/4 amount.
Step 3: 3 × 6.9 ml = 20.7 ml.
Tip: The table gives the amount for 1/4 litre, and Clara uses 3/4 litre. The scale factor is (3/4) ÷ (1/4) = 3. Multiplying by the numerator works here because both fractions have the same denominator and refer to the same whole.
Rules to Help You Solve Proportional Scaling Questions
To solve proportional scaling questions like the paint mix example above, use the table header to determine the base fraction and scale up the target component.
📊 Rule 1: Read the table header first
The header tells you what one table amount represents, such as per 1/4 litre or per 1/10 tray.
Example: If the table says per 1/4 litre, each row value is for one quarter.
🎯 Rule 2: Use only the target row
Tables include several components, but the question asks for one specific ingredient, nutrient, liquid, or material.
Example: For acrylic medium, ignore pigment, binder, and water rows.
✖️ Rule 3: Multiply by the numerator
The scale factor is requested amount ÷ table amount. If the table gives the value for 1/D and the person uses N/D of the same whole, the denominators match and the scale factor is N. Multiply the table value by N.
Example: 3/4 of a mix means 3 lots of the 1/4 table value.
✅ Rule 4: Keep the units attached
The final answer must use the same unit as the target row, such as g, mg, ml, or L.
Example: 7 x 1.4 L = 9.8 L, not just 9.8.
Two More Worked Examples
Here are two more examples showing how to scale larger fraction parts and keep the correct units.
Scaling Several Equal Parts
Question: The table lists liquid volumes inside a vehicle service kit. Leo uses 7/8 of the liquids in the kit. Find the volume of coolant (in L) that Leo uses.
Step 1: The target row is coolant, so use 1.4 L.
Step 2: 7/8 means 7 equal 1/8 parts.
Step 3: 7 × 1.4 L = 9.8 L.
Tip: Larger fractions do not change the method. Find the one-part value, then scale it.
Keeping the Target Row’s Units
Question: The table details a selection of nutrients found in a carton of juice. Camila consumes 2/3 of the carton of juice. Calculate the mass of Vitamin C (in mg) that Camila consumes.
Step 1: The target row is Vitamin C, so use 28.4 mg.
Step 2: Camila consumes 2/3, which is 2 lots of the 1/3 amount.
Step 3: 2 x 28.4 = 56.8 mg.
Tip: Do not switch units. Vitamin C is measured in mg here, even though other rows may use g.
