Ratio and Proportion Word Problems - Math

The Organic Chemistry Tutor9 minutes read

To find the ratio of cats to dogs on an island with 540 cats and 675 dogs, set up a fraction with cats on top and dogs on the bottom. In a class with a ratio of boys to girls as 8 to 7 and 40 boys, use a proportion to find that there are 35 girls in the class.

Insights

  • The process of determining ratios involves setting up fractions with the given quantities and then simplifying them by dividing to find the relationship between different elements.
  • Proportions play a significant role in solving problems related to ratios, allowing for the calculation of missing values based on the established relationships between the quantities involved.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • How can I find the ratio of cats to dogs?

    Set up a fraction with cats on top and dogs on the bottom, then simplify.

  • How do I calculate the number of girls in a class with a given ratio of boys to girls?

    Use a proportion with the number of boys given to find the number of girls.

  • How can I determine the number of cakes Karen can make in a given time frame?

    Set up a proportion using the number of cakes she can make in a known time period.

  • How can I find the width of a large rectangle given the length and a proportion?

    Set up a proportion using the lengths of the small and large rectangles.

  • How can I calculate the number of nickels in a jar with a given ratio of coins?

    Multiply the ratio of nickels by the total number of coins.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Ratio Calculations for Cats, Dogs, and More"

  • To find the ratio of cats to dogs on an island with 540 cats and 675 dogs, set up a fraction with cats on top and dogs on the bottom.
  • Simplify the fraction by dividing both numbers by 5, then by 9, resulting in a ratio of 4 to 5 or 4:5.
  • In a class with a ratio of boys to girls as 8 to 7 and 40 boys, use a proportion to find that there are 35 girls in the class.
  • To determine how many cakes Karen can make in 15 hours if she can make 14 cakes in 6 hours, set up a proportion and find that she can make 35 cakes in 15 hours.
  • When the length and width of a small rectangle are 9 inches and 8 inches, and the length of a large rectangle is 24 inches, set up a proportion to find the width of the large rectangle as 64/3 inches or approximately 21.3 inches.
  • In a jar with a ratio of nickels, dimes, and quarters as 3 to 4 to 7 and a total of 112 coins, calculate that there are 24 nickels in the jar.
  • By multiplying the ratios of nickels, dimes, quarters, and the total by 8, find that there are 24 nickels, 32 dimes, and 56 quarters in the jar, totaling 112 coins.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.