Question

The ratio of men to women in a movie theater is 3:5. As two more men and one more woman walk in, the ratio of men to women becomes 2:3. How many women were in the theater before these three walked in?

A. 5
B. 6
C. 20
D. 21

Answer 1

c. 20

Explanation:

Answer 2

C. 20

Explanation:

Let's say M is the original number of men and W is the original number of women.

M / W = 3 / 5

(M+2) / (W+1) = 2 / 3

Let's cross multiply both equations:

5M = 3W

3(M+2) = 2(W+1)

Let's simplify the second equation:

3M + 6 = 2W + 2

3M + 4 = 2W

From the first equation:

M = 3/5 W

Substitute:

3 (3/5 W) + 4 = 2W

9/5 W + 4 = 2W

4 = 1/5 W

W = 20

There were originally 20 women.

Let's check our answer. That would mean that M = 3/5 W = 12.

After 2 men walk in and 1 woman, W = 21 and M = 14, so 14/21 = 2/3. Looks like the answer is correct!

Answer C.