Mathematics ACT Aspire Practice Test

What does it mean when two quantities are nonproportional?

1. They have a constant ratio

2. They always equal each other

3. They have a variable ratio

4. They are always in a fraction form

The correct answer is: They have a variable ratio

When two quantities are described as nonproportional, it means that their ratio changes as the values of the quantities change. In other words, they do not maintain a constant ratio. When you look at two nonproportional quantities, their relationship can vary, leading to different ratios at various points. This is in contrast to proportional quantities, where the ratio remains consistent, implying that one quantity is a constant multiple of the other. For instance, if you have two quantities, x and y, that are nonproportional, you might observe that when x doubles, y does not necessarily double, indicating that the relationship is inconsistent. Variable ratios can arise in various scenarios, such as when one quantity increases while the other increases at a different rate. The other choices describe different properties. A constant ratio signifies proportional relationships, equal quantities speak to a specific instance where they are the same, and being in fraction form does not inherently relate to nonproportionality. Thus, the condition of having a variable ratio distinctly characterizes nonproportional quantities.