Question

The ratio of raisins to all M&M's in one bag of trail mix is 1:4. The ratio of peanut M&M's to plain M&M's is 2:3. If there are 20 raisins in the trail mix, how many plain M&M's are there?

Answer 1

48

Explanation:

Multiplying the ratio of raisins to M&Ms by 20, we find there are a total of 80 M&Ms in the bag.

raisins : M&Ms = 1 : 4 = 20 : 80

The ratio of peanut to plain M&Ms is 2 : 3, a total of 2+3 = 5 ratio units. These stand for a total of 80 M&Ms, so each ratio unit of M&Ms stands for 80/5 = 16 M&Ms. That is ...

peanut : plain = 2 : 3 = 32 : 48

There are 48 plain M&Ms in the bag.