Final answer:
The number of violinists in the orchestra is calculated using the ratio of violinists to cellists (8:3) and the given number of cellists (12). Following the proportional relationship, we find that there are 32 violinists in the orchestra.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the number of violinists in the orchestra based on the given ratio of violinists to cellists and the number of cellists, we need to set up a proportion. The ratio of violinists to cellists is given as 8:3, which means that for every 8 violinists, there are 3 cellists. If there are 12 cellists in the orchestra, we can use the following steps to find the number of violinists:
- Write the ratio as a fraction: Violinists/Cellists = 8/3.
- Set up the proportion using the number of cellists: Violinists/12 = 8/3.
- Cross-multiply to solve for the number of violinists: (Violinists * 3) = (12 * 8).
- Simplify and solve for the number of violinists: Violinists = (12 * 8) / 3.
- Calculate the result: Violinists = 96 / 3.
- Conclude that the number of violinists is 32.
Therefore, the orchestra has 32 violinists.