Question

There are three forward players, two defensemen, and one goalie on a hockey team. What is the ratio, in simplest form, of forward players to the total number on a team?

Answer 1

The ratio would be 1:2 because there are 3 forwards players and all together there are 6 total players. So when you simplify that you get 1:2

Answer 2

1/2

Explanation:

If you take 6 as your team then 3 of the 6 are forwards. That's 1/2 so your answer is 1/2. Note this answer uses the players already choosen on which position they play, but it is possible that a center could play either of the wings, and Right wing / Left wing could inter change with either wing or center. Then there is the possibility that all 6 players could play each other's position including goal.

If that last is case then the total number of ways is

6 * 5 * 4 * 3 * 2 * 1 = 120

The number of ways of choosing forwards is

6 Choose 3 = 6!/(3!3!) = 20

20 ways out of 120 = 1/6