DfE statement R7 · Ratio, proportion and rates of change
Proportion as equality of ratios
Proportion as equality of ratios is content statement R7 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the ratio, proportion and rates of change area. It is on both tiers, and it is examined without a calculator. Below is what the specification actually requires, the 3 mistakes that cost marks on this topic most often, and practice questions written to the statement — original questions, not past papers.
What the specification says
The DfE subject content for GCSE mathematics states, verbatim: "Understand and use proportion as equality of ratios." (statement R7). Every awarding organisation — Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR — must cover it, so the wording is the same whichever specification your school follows.
Tier
Both tiers. This statement is Foundation content, which means Higher students are examined on it too — Higher is Foundation plus more, never instead of it.
Calculator
This is non-calculator territory. Questions on it belong naturally on Paper 1, where written method is all you have — so practise it that way rather than with a calculator to hand.
Common mistakes
- Cross-multiplying the wrong pair of terms, which quietly inverts one of the ratios.
- Assuming two quantities are in proportion because they both increase — proportion requires a constant ratio.
- Treating a graph as showing proportion when it does not pass through the origin.
Sample questions (10 of 31)
Nearby statements
Questions people ask
Is proportion as equality of ratios on Foundation or Higher?
Both. It is Foundation content, so it can be asked on either tier.
Can I use a calculator for proportion as equality of ratios?
Not on Paper 1, which is where this normally appears. Paper 1 is non-calculator for both tiers and carries the same 80 marks as each of the other two papers.
What is the single most common mistake here?
Cross-multiplying the wrong pair of terms, which quietly inverts one of the ratios.
Are these past paper questions?
No. Every question is original, written to this DfE content statement and checked before publication. We do not host past papers or mark schemes.
Back to Ratio, proportion and rates of change at Foundation or at Higher.