Question

Three out of every five picks are orange. If 12 picks are orange, how many pics are there in total

Answer 1

20 because if you divide twelve by three you get four. then multiply four times five and you get 20.

Answer 2

answer: 20

work:

okay, so to solve this, set up as a system of equations and solve:

`(3)/(5) = (12)/(x)`

this equation models our problem, because it shows the 3 to 5 ratio and out 12 to x, the number we're trying to find.

so, to solve, cross multiply

3(x) = 5(12)

3x = 20

x = 20

so, when there are 12 oranges, there are 20 pics total.

checking the answer:

the original equation states that "Three out of every five picks are orange" so, this means we can represent this as a fraction, 3/5.

to verify if our other fraction, which we can model as 12/20 is correct, we can simplify it, and if it's equivalent to 3/5 we know it's correct.

so, to simplify we need to find the greatest common factor between 12 and 20 so we can divide both numbers by this fraction.

well, the greatest common factor between these two numbers is 4, so divide both of them by 4.

`(12)/(20)` ÷
`(4)/(4) = (3)/(5)`

so, this verifies my answer is correct. hope this helps, and have an amazing day!