Question

In Mr. Xang’s French class, there are thirty-eight male students and forty-two female students. Which of the following expresses the ratio of female students to male students in simplest form?

A.38:42
B.21:19
C.19:21
D.42:38

Answer 1

B. because when you write the ratio as 42:38, you can simplify it by dividing by 2. After that, you can't divide 21:19 evenly, so that is the simplest form.

Answer 2

First you express them according to the numbers which will be 42:38 then you find a common factor and divide it by 2 which will give you 21:19 (B) and that's the simplest form