How do you solve ratio and proportion problems?

1 Answer
Joe D.
Apr 3, 2015

There are several types of ratio and proportion problems. Usually the question gives #n# things with their ratios and the sum of #n# things.

Example

John and Mike have #$50# with ratio #2/3#

To solve this, you simply do the followings:

John has #2k# money and Mike has #3k# money. Since the total money is #$50#:

#2k+3k=50#

#k=10#

So John has #$20# and Mike has #$30#.

The core idea is using a variable like #k# to distribute the things as in the given ratio. Then by using the other given information you can solve the problem easily.

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