Question

A social science book comprises of two sections: 

geography and civics in the ratio 4:3. How much of each type of content will be needed to make a book of 490 pages? (If you could explain how to do this that would be great because I don't know how to do this type of problem.)

Answer 1

So you start by adding the two numbers on either side of your ratio together...

4 + 3 = 7

Then you divide your total number (the book pages) by your total ratio number...

490/7 = 70

Finally, you multiply each side by 70.

4 x 70 = 280 geography
3 x 70 = 210 civics

Plus, you can check your answer by adding the two totals...

280 geography + 210 civics = 490 pages total