\( 1 \leftarrow \begin{array}{c}\text { Solve the proportion for } N \\ \frac{12}{8}=\frac{N}{2}\end{array} \)

To solve the proportion \( \frac{12}{8} = \frac{N}{2} \), we can cross-multiply. This means we multiply 12 by 2 and 8 by N: \( 12 \cdot 2 = 8 \cdot N \). This simplifies to: \( 24 = 8N \). Now, to isolate N, divide both sides by 8: \( N = \frac{24}{8} = 3 \). So, \( N = 3 \). Happy solving! By the way, did you know that proportions are not just for math homework? They’re used everywhere from cooking to determining the perfect mix of colors in art. If a recipe calls for 2 cups of flour for every cup of sugar, you can set up a proportion to figure out how much flour you need if you're using 3 cups of sugar. When solving proportions, a common mistake is to forget to simplify fractions before cross-multiplying, which can lead to unnecessary complications. It's often easier to work with smaller numbers, so simplifying at the beginning can save time and reduce errors.