Determine whether the equation is a proportion: \( \frac{3}{5}=\frac{8}{25} \). Select the correct answer below: Yes, the equation is a proportion. \( \mathrm{No}_{\text {, the equation is not a proportion. }}^{\text {, }} \)

To determine if the equation \( \frac{3}{5}=\frac{8}{25} \) is a proportion, we can cross-multiply. If \( 3 \times 25 = 5 \times 8 \), then the two fractions are equal. Here, \( 75 \neq 40 \), so they are not equal. Thus, the answer is: No, the equation is not a proportion. Proportions are essential in many real-life scenarios, such as cooking, where you need to adjust ingredient amounts while maintaining the original ratios. For example, if a recipe is meant for 4 servings and you want to make it for 10, using proportions ensures the flavor remains consistent. When dealing with proportions, a common mistake is to forget to simplify fractions before comparing them. Always ensure both fractions are in their simplest form to avoid confusion. This makes it easier to see if they are proportional or not!