Proportion

Proportion refers to two equal fractions. For example a fifth (1/5) and 2 tenths (2/10) are in proportion. Proportion is used heavily in capture-recapture.

Contents

• Direct Proportion
• Inverse Proportion

Example

An ideal figure, used when aiming for an impression of nobility or grace, is drawn at 8 heads tall ¹

From this statement and the height of either the whole body or head, the opposite height could be calculated.

The average male height in England is 175.3 cm ²

Using both these statements, I could establish the average head height for a male in England, assuming they have an ideal figure.

$$\begin{align} \frac{1}{8} & = \frac{head\;height}{175.3} \\ \frac{1}{8} * 175.3 & = head\;height \\ & = 21.9125cm \\ & = 21.9cm (1dp) \end{align}$$

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1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_proportions#Basics_of_human_proportions ↩

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_average_human_height_worldwide ↩

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