Ratios Math Example 2

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 2

medium
The ratio of boys to girls in a class is 5:35 : 3. If there are 40 students total, how many boys and how many girls are there?

Solution

  1. 1
    Total parts: 5+3=85 + 3 = 8.
  2. 2
    Value of one part: 408=5\frac{40}{8} = 5.
  3. 3
    Boys: 5×5=255 \times 5 = 25. Girls: 3×5=153 \times 5 = 15.
  4. 4
    Check: 25+15=4025 + 15 = 40 \checkmark

Answer

25 boys and 15 girls25 \text{ boys and } 15 \text{ girls}
When a total is shared in a given ratio, divide the total by the sum of the ratio parts to find the value of one part, then multiply each ratio number by that value.

About Ratios

A ratio compares two or more quantities by showing how many times one contains the other, written as a:ba:b or ab\frac{a}{b}. Unlike fractions, ratios can compare parts to parts, not just parts to wholes.

Learn more about Ratios →

More Ratios Examples

Example 1 easy

A recipe calls for 3 cups of flour and 2 cups of sugar. What is the ratio of flour to sugar, and how

Example 3 easy

Simplify the ratio [formula].

Example 4 hard

A map uses the scale [formula]. Two towns are [formula] cm apart on the map. What is the actual dist

Example 5 medium

A recipe uses flour and sugar in a 5:2 ratio. If you use 15 cups of flour, how much sugar do you nee

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