Rule of 3: Direct and Inverse - Smartick (2024)

Jun30

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In today’s post, we are going to work on proportions. This time we will look at a way of solving direct and inverse proportions: the rule of 3.

What is the rule of 3?

The rule of 3 is an operation that helps us quickly solve both direct and inverse proportion word problems.

In order to use the rule of 3, we need three values: two that are proportional to one another and a third. From there, we will figure out the fourth value.

Direct rule of 3

We will begin by looking at how to apply it in the case of direct proportions.

We will place the 3 values (which we will call “a”, “b”, and “c”) and the unknown value that we want to figure out (“x”) in a table. Next, we will apply the following formula:

Rule of 3: Direct and Inverse - Smartick (1)

We are going to solve the following problem as an example:

Rule of 3: Direct and Inverse - Smartick (2)

Upon arriving at the hotel, the staff gave us a map displaying the places of interest in the city and told us that 5 centimeters on the map represented 600 meters in reality. Today we want to go to a park that is located 8 centimeters from the hotel on the map. How far from the hotel is the park?

Let’s make a table with the 3 values and the unknown value (“x”), and we will find “x” with the formula that we have just learned.

Centimeters on the map Meters in reality

Rule of 3: Direct and Inverse - Smartick (3)

Answer:The park is located 960 meters from the hotel.

Inverse Rule of 3

Now we will look at how to apply the rule of 3 in the case of inverse proportions.

We will place the 3 values and the unknown value in the table, just as we did in the previous case, but we will apply a different formula:

Rule of 3: Direct and Inverse - Smartick (4)

Let’s look at an example:

Rule of 3: Direct and Inverse - Smartick (5)

Yesterday, 2 trucks transported goods from the port to the warehouse. Today, 3 trucks, the same size as yesterday, will have to make 6 trips to transport the same amount of goods from the warehouse to the mall. How many trips did the trucks make yesterday?

We place the values in a table and apply the formula for the inverse rule of 3:

Trucks Trips Necessary

Rule of 3: Direct and Inverse - Smartick (6)

Answer:Yesterday, 2 trucks made 9 trips.

What did you think of this post? Isn’t it easy to apply the rule of 3 to proportion word problems!

You can learn more about direct and inverse proportion with this previous post on our blog: Rule of Three Problems.

Remember thatyou will be able to practice exercises, proportion word problems and much more withSmartick! Try it for free!

Learn More:

  • Direct and Inverse Proportionality Problems
  • Direct and Inverse Rule of 3 Problems
  • Inverse Proportionality: The Rule of Three Inverse
  • Problems Involving the Inverse Rule of 3
  • Compound Rule of 3: When to Use It and Some Problems

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Rule of 3: Direct and Inverse - Smartick (7)Rule of 3: Direct and Inverse - Smartick (8)

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8 Comments

  • CynthiaJan 27 2019, 11:35 AM

    Multiplication is vexation, division is as bad.
    The rule of three perplexes me and practice drives me mad!

    I’ve wondered for decades what the heck the “Rule of Three” was. Thank you for a translation elementary enough, and with examples’, to make it possible for me to comprehend. Thank you!

    Reply
  • PretiAug 07 2018, 3:12 PM

    I realy don’t have words to show my happiness after reading this blog. Thank you so much!

    Reply
  • Laura KuhnSep 12 2017, 6:41 AM

    These examples are quite good. The second and the third one really helped me!!

    Reply
  • samuelJul 22 2017, 5:52 AM

    still want to know more.

    Reply
  • Danita van RomburghJun 23 2017, 4:50 AM

    I have 3 children. Can you please send me more information regarding your fees (per hour and per month) for Grade 4, Grade 7 and Grade 12 (Maths & Science). I prefer communication via email please.

    Reply
    • SmartickJun 26 2017, 9:36 AM

      Hi Danita,

      Smartick has monthly, quarterly and annual subscriptions, with the option to choose between one full installment or monthly payments for the year commitment. We do not have subscriptions based on hours or days.
      The price depends on the number of students you subscribe and the duration of your commitment.
      Smartick adapts to each student´s level regardless of their age or grade.
      I have asked my colleagues to contact you via email to clarify any questions you may have. You can also contact them at [emailprotected]

      Thanks!

      Reply
  • CindyFeb 19 2017, 10:57 AM

    This example doesn’t show why it works or how to differentiate one formula versus the other. Understanding the relationship between the numbers is key, and this doesn’t even touch in that.

    Reply
Rule of 3: Direct and Inverse - Smartick (2024)

FAQs

Rule of 3: Direct and Inverse - Smartick? ›

What is the rule of 3? The rule of 3 is an operation that helps us quickly solve both direct and inverse proportion word problems. In order to use the rule of 3, we need three values: two that are proportional to one another and a third. From there, we will figure out the fourth value.

What is the inverse 3 rule? ›

The rule of three inverse is used in problems where three of the four numbers that are proportional are known and the fourth number is what needs to be solved. First, we need to relate A to B. Then, we write down the next pair of numbers that we need to relate.

What is the rule of 3 inverse proportion? ›

Inverse Proportionality and the Rule of Three

Inverse proportionality is a mathematical relationship between two variables in which an increase in one variable leads to a decrease in the other, and vice versa. In other words, as one variable grows, the other diminishes proportionally.

What is the direct rule of three? ›

Direct Rule of Three (Direct Proportionality):

If two quantities are in direct proportion, the Rule of Three can be applied to find a fourth quantity.

What is the inverse of 3? ›

Two numbers are additive inverses if they add to give a sum of zero. 3 and -3 are additive inverses since 3 + (-3) = 0. -3 is the additive inverse of 3.

What are the 3 steps to finding an inverse function? ›

1) Replace f(x) with y . 2) Swap the independent variable x with the dependent variable y . This gives x=y2−1 x = y 2 − 1 . 3) Rearrange the function to make dependent variable y the subject.

What are the rules for direct and inverse proportion? ›

Answer: In a direct proportion the ratio between matching quantities remain the same if they we divide them. On the other hand, in an inverse or indirect proportion as one-quantity increases, the other automatically decreases.

How to do direct and inverse proportionality? ›

There are four steps to do this:
  1. write the proportional relationship.
  2. convert to an equation using a constant of proportionality.
  3. use given information to find the constant of proportionality.
  4. substitute the constant of proportionality into the equation.

What is the 3 rule example? ›

Examples of the rule of three

In storytelling: “The Three Little Pigs,” “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” and “Three Billy Goats Gruff” are all classic examples of stories that use the rule of three. In speeches: “I came, I saw, I conquered” is a famous example of the rule of three used by Julius Caesar.

What is meant by 3 rule? ›

noun. a mathematical rule asserting that the value of one unknown quantity in a proportion is found by multiplying the denominator of each ratio by the numerator of the other.

What is the rule of 3 and why is it important? ›

The Rule of Three is a very simple way to get better results with skill. Rather than get overwhelmed by your tasks, you get intentional about your three victories that you want to accomplish. Think in Three Wins. This puts you in control, now matter how chaotic things are around you.

What is the logic behind the rule of threes? ›

The rule of three is a writing principle which suggests that a trio of entities such as events or characters is more humorous, satisfying, or effective than other numbers.

What is the rule of 3 called? ›

Tricolon: When three parallel elements have a similar number of words or syllables (veni, vedi, vici); (I came, I saw, I conquered)

What is the rule of three for solving proportions? ›

The rule of 3 is an operation that helps us quickly solve both direct and inverse proportion word problems. In order to use the rule of 3, we need three values: two that are proportional to one another and a third. From there, we will figure out the fourth value.

What is the value of 3 inverse? ›

Consider the examples; the multiplicative inverse of 3 is 1/3, of -1/3 is -3, of 8 is 1/8 and 4/7 is -7/4. But the multiplicative inverse of 0 is infinite because 1/0 = infinity.

What is inverse rule matrix 3x3? ›

To find the Inverse of a 3 × 3 Matrix A, you can use the formula A-1 = (adj A) / (det A), where: adj A is the adjoint matrix of A. det A is the determinant of A.

What are the inverse rules? ›

In simple words, if any function “f” takes x to y then, the inverse of “f” will take y to x. If the function is denoted by 'f' or 'F', then the inverse function is denoted by f-1 or F-1. One should not confuse (-1) with exponent or reciprocal here. If f and g are inverse functions, then f(x) = y if and only if g(y) = x.

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