Question

A sum of money is to be divided among three people. John will take half the sum. Maria will take twice as much as Sandra. Work out the ratio: John's share: Maria's share: Sandra's share​

Answer 1

J : M : S = 3 : 2 : 1

Explanation:

We can use the given relations to form the requested ratio.

Setup

The ratio of John's share to the other two shares is ...

John : (Maria + Sandra) = 1 : 1

And the ratio of Maria's to Sandra's share is ...

Maria : Sandra = 2 : 1

Solution

Starting with the second ratio, we see that the sum of Maria's and Sandra's ratio units is 2+1 = 3.

Considering the first ratio, that means ...

John : (Maria + Sandra) = 1 : 1 = ? : 3

Clearly the ? must be 3, so the extended ratio is ...

John : (Maria +Sandra) = 3 : 3

John : Maria : Sandra = 3 : 2 : 1