Ratio & ProportionStudy Notes

Worked Example 3: Best Buy Problem

Part of Direct ProportionGCSE Mathematics

This study notes covers Worked Example 3: Best Buy Problem within Direct Proportion for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Direct Proportion in Ratio & Proportion for GCSE Mathematics with 15 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 7 of 8 in this topic. Use this study notes to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 7 of 8

Practice

15 questions

Recall

12 flashcards

Worked Example 3: Best Buy Problem

Shop A: 5 apples for £1.20. Shop B: 8 apples for £2.00. Which is better value?

Step 1 Find price per apple at each shop

Shop A: £1.20 ÷ 5 = £0.24 per apple

Shop B: £2.00 ÷ 8 = £0.25 per apple

Step 2 Compare

Shop A is better value (cheaper per apple)

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Direct Proportion. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Direct Proportion

Which of the following correctly reads the mathematical statement y ∝ x?

  • A. y is inversely proportional to x
  • B. y is directly proportional to x
  • C. y equals x
  • D. y is greater than x
1 markfoundation

Explain what it means for y to be directly proportional to x. Your answer should refer to the equation and the graph.

2 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What does the symbol ∝ mean?
'is proportional to' y ∝ x means 'y is proportional to x' This is equivalent to writing y = kx for some constant k.
What does the graph of y = kx look like?
A straight line passing through the origin (0, 0). The gradient of the line equals k. If the line does NOT pass through (0,0), it is NOT direct proportion.

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