Are the numbers `12, 18, 28 and 12 `in proportion ?

Answer

To determine if the numbers 12, 18, 28, and 12 are in proportion, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Write the ratios
We need to compare the ratios of the first two numbers (12 and 18) with the ratios of the last two numbers (28 and 12). This can be expressed as:
\[ \frac{12}{18} \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{28}{12} \]

### Step 2: Set up the equation
To check if the numbers are in proportion, we need to see if:
\[ \frac{12}{18} = \frac{28}{12} \]

### Step 3: Simplify the left-hand side (LHS)
We simplify \(\frac{12}{18}\):
\[ \frac{12 \div 6}{18 \div 6} = \frac{2}{3} \]

### Step 4: Simplify the right-hand side (RHS)
Now, we simplify \(\frac{28}{12}\):
\[ \frac{28 \div 4}{12 \div 4} = \frac{7}{3} \]

### Step 5: Compare the two sides
Now we compare the simplified ratios:
\[ \frac{2}{3} \quad \text{and} \quad \frac{7}{3} \]

Since \(\frac{2}{3} \neq \frac{7}{3}\), we conclude that:
\[ \text{LHS} \neq \text{RHS} \]

### Step 6: Conclusion
Since the two ratios are not equal, the numbers 12, 18, 28, and 12 are **not in proportion**.