Question

There are 20 cows and 10 farmers in a field. What is the ratio of the number of ears to the number of legs in the field, and what is the significance of this ratio?

3:5, because for every 3 ears present in the field, there are 5 legs present
3:5, because on average, there are 3 ears per individual and 5 legs per individual in the field
2:3, because each farmer has two-thirds the number of ears and legs that a cow has
2:3, because two-thirds of those in the field are cows, and they have the greater share of ears and legs

Answer 1

3:5, because for every 3 ears present in the field, there are 5 legs present

Explanation:

A cow has 2 ears and 4 legs.

20 cows have 40 ears and 80 legs.

A farmer has 2 ears and 2 legs.

10 farmers have 20 ears and 20 legs.

20 cows and 10 farmers have 60 ears and 100 legs.

Ratio of ears to legs is

60:100 = 3:5

Answer: 3:5, because for every 3 ears present in the field, there are 5 legs present