Question

The ratio of the number of boys to the number of girls in the class is 5:7. If there are 600 students, how many girls are there?

Answer 1

There are 350 girls

Explanation:

boys: girls: total

5 7 5+7

5 7 12

We can use proportions to solve this. Put the number of girls over the total number.

girls 7 girls x girls

--------- = --------------= ----------------

total 12total 600 total

Using cross products

7 * 600 = x*12

Divide each side by 12

7*600/12 = x

350 = x

There are 350 girls