GCSE Maths – Ratio, Proportion and

Rates of Change

Direct and Inverse Proportion

Worksheet

This worksheet will show you how to work out different types of direct and
inverse proportion questions. Each section contains a worked example, a
question with hints and then questions for you to work through on your own.

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 Section A

Worked Example

10 apples cost £2.40, how much will it cost to buy 9 apples?

Step 1: Find the cost of one apple

2.40 ÷ 10 = 0.24

10 apples : £2.40
÷ 10 ÷ 10
1 apple : £0.24

Step 2: Find the cost of 9 apples

0.24 × 9 = 2.16

1 apple : £0.24
×9 9 apples : £2.16 ×9

9 apples cost £2.16

Guided Example

5 bananas cost £3.60, how much will it cost to buy 7 bananas?

Step 1: Find the cost of one banana

Step 2: Find the cost of 7 bananas

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 Now it’s your turn!
If you get stuck, look back at the worked and guided examples.

1. 6 pens cost £2.16. Calculate the cost of 12 pens.

2. 8 water bottles cost £20. Calculate the cost of 13 water bottles.

3. Maya buys 7 nail polishes for £10.57. Calculate the cost of 15 nail polishes.

4. Raf bought 9 earrings for £9.81. Ayushi bought 7 earrings for £7.42. Who got the
better value?

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 Section B

Worked Example

𝑨𝑨 is directly proportional to the square root of 𝑩𝑩. When 𝑨𝑨 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏, 𝑩𝑩 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.

Find 𝑨𝑨 when 𝑩𝑩 = 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖.

Step 1: Write an equation involving k

𝐴𝐴 ∝ √𝐵𝐵
𝐴𝐴 = 𝑘𝑘√𝐵𝐵

Step 2: Substitute the known values into the equation

𝐴𝐴 = 𝑘𝑘√𝐵𝐵
16 = 𝑘𝑘√16

Step 3: Solve for k

16 = 𝑘𝑘√16
16 = 4𝑘𝑘
𝑘𝑘 = 4

Step 4: Express A in terms of B

𝐴𝐴 = 4√𝐵𝐵

Step 5: Find the value for A

𝐴𝐴 = 4√81
𝐴𝐴 = 4 × 9
𝐴𝐴 = 36

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 Guided Example

𝑻𝑻 is directly proportional to the square of 𝑼𝑼. When 𝑻𝑻 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏, 𝑼𝑼 = 𝟐𝟐.

Find 𝑼𝑼 when 𝑻𝑻 = 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔.

Step 1: Write an equation involving k

Step 2: Substitute the known values into the equation

Step 3: Solve for k

Step 4: Express T in terms of U

Step 5: Find the value for U

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 Now it’s your turn!
If you get stuck, look back at the worked and guided examples.

5. 𝑋𝑋 is directly proportional to the square of 𝑌𝑌. When 𝑋𝑋 = 50, 𝑌𝑌 = 5.

Find 𝑋𝑋 when 𝑌𝑌 = 3.

6. 𝐶𝐶 is directly proportional to the cube root of 𝐷𝐷. When 𝐶𝐶 = 32, 𝐷𝐷 = 8.

Find 𝐷𝐷 when 𝐶𝐶 = 16.

7. 𝑃𝑃 is directly proportional to the 𝑄𝑄. When 𝑃𝑃 = 14, 𝑄𝑄 = 5.

Find 𝑄𝑄 when 𝑃𝑃 = 6.

8. Lauren is paid £225 for 25 hours of work. Use direct proportion to calculate how
much she is paid for 30 hours of work.

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 Section C

Worked Example

The time taken (t) for customers to be served is inversely proportional to the square
root of the number of waiters (w) working. It takes 10 min to be served when there
are 4 waiters working. Find t in terms of w.

Step 1: Write an equation involving k.

1
𝑡𝑡 ∝
√𝑤𝑤

𝑘𝑘
𝑡𝑡 =
√𝑤𝑤

Step 2: Substitute the known values into the equation

𝑘𝑘
𝑡𝑡 =
√𝑤𝑤

𝑘𝑘
10 =
√4

Step 3: Solve for k.

𝑘𝑘
10 =
√4

𝑘𝑘
10 =
2

𝑘𝑘 = 20

Step 4: Express t in terms of w

20
𝑡𝑡 =
√𝑤𝑤

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 Guided Example

𝑻𝑻 is inversely proportional to the square of 𝑼𝑼. When 𝑻𝑻 = 𝟕𝟕, 𝑼𝑼 = 𝟑𝟑.

Find 𝑻𝑻 when 𝑼𝑼 = √𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐.

Step 1: Write an equation involving k.

Step 2: Substitute the known values into the equation.

Step 3: Solve for k.

Step 4: Express T in terms of U.

Step 5: Find the value for U.

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 Now it’s your turn!
If you get stuck, look back at the worked and guided examples.

9. 𝑋𝑋 is inversely proportional to the square of 𝑌𝑌. When 𝑋𝑋 = 2, 𝑌𝑌 = 5.

Find 𝑋𝑋 when 𝑌𝑌 = √10.

10. 𝐶𝐶 is inversely proportional to the cube root of 𝐷𝐷. When 𝐶𝐶 = 4, 𝐷𝐷 = 8.

Find 𝐷𝐷 when 𝐶𝐶 = 2.

11. P is inversely proportional to the Q. When 𝑃𝑃 = 34, 𝑄𝑄 = 9. Find Q when 𝑃𝑃 = 5

12. The number of days (d) to complete a bedroom renovation is inversely to the square
of the number of workers (w). It takes 25 days for 2 workers to complete it. Calculate
to the nearest day, how long it would take 10 workers to complete the job.

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