Question

One week, the ratio of pounds of apples to pounds of oranges sold at a market was 3:8. Twelve pounds of apples were sold. how many pounds of oranges were sold?

(i got 4 pounds, is it right) please help and thanks.

Answer 1

3 : 8....can be written as 3/8
12 lbs of apples were sold

apples / oranges : 3/8 = 12/x
this is a proportion, so we cross multiply
(3)(x) = (12)(8)
3x = 96
x = 96/3
x = 32 <=== 32 lbs of oranges

notice that 3/8 = 12/32....these are equivalent fractions....because that is what proportions are, equivalent fractions