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How to Calculate the Mean Proportional

The mean proportional, also known as the geometric proportion, is used to determine what proportion of similar geometric shapes are similar and result in the mean of the shapes. Calculating the proportional means is simple, provided you have enough information on the length of the sides of the polygon to establish your variables.

Instructions

    • 1

      Find the values for A and B in a geometric triangle. A and B refer to the side of the polygon that is opposite the angle from which you are calculating the proportional mean. If you are calculating the proportional mean of adjacent triangles, A and B are the same value, as the shared side is where you are calculating the proportion.

    • 2

      To find the proportional mean, enter A and B into the following equation: X=Sq(A*B). As you can see, if A and B are the same, then X will equal either A or B. So if you are calculating the proportional mean of A=12 and B=3, start by multiplying A and B to make 36. Then take the square of that, which is 6, resulting in X=6.

    • 3

      Check the proportional mean for accuracy, using the following formula. A/X=X/B. Using the numbers for the previous equation, the formula is 12/6=6/3. If the numbers equate, which in this case is 2=2, then the proportional mean is accurate.

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