The ratio of men to women working for a company is 7 to 4. If there are 189 men working for the company, what is the total number of employees?

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Answer 1 · 2016-11-06T12:01:53

#189# men and #108# women.

Total number is #297#

Start by using ratio form to write down what is given:

#" "#men : women
#" "7:4#
#" "189: ?#

Now determine the relationship between #7 and 189#

#" "#men : women
#" "7:4#

# color(red)(xx27)darr#

#" "189: ?#

Do exactly the same for the women.

#" "#men : women
#" "7:4#

# color(red)(xx27)darr""darrcolor(red)(xx27)#

#" "189: 108#

Total number = #189+108 = 297#

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You can also use direct proportion:

#7/4 = 189/x" "larr# cross multiply

#7x = 4 xx189#

#x = (4xx189)/7#

Number of women: #x = 108#

Total number = #189+108 = 297#

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However, in both cases you can find the total number in one step.
#7+4=11" "larr# find 11 parts.

#" "#men : total
#" "7:11#

# color(red)(xx27)darr""darrcolor(red)(xx27)#

#" "189: 297#

Total number #= 297##

OR

#7/11 = 189/x" "larr# cross multiply

#7x = 11 xx189#

#x = (11xx189)/7#

Total number = # 297#