Question

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O RATIOS, PROPORTIONS, AND MEASUREMENT
Writing ratios for real-world situations
There are 8 new books and 9 used books on a shelf.
(a) What is the ratio of all books to new books?
(b) What is the ratio of all books to used books?
(a)
(b)
?
X​

Answer 1

(a) ratio of all books to new books is 17 : 8

or in quotient form: 17/8

(b) ratio of all books to used books is 17 : 9

or in quotient form: 17/9

Explanation:

Number of new books = 8

Number of used books = 9

Total number of books = 17

Recall also that ratios are written with the symbol ":" in between the first quantity and then the second quantity, thus the symbol ":" replacing the word "to". For example "Ratio of a to b is written with the symbology:

a : b

which can also be translated to the quotient expression: a/b

Then the requested ratio of

(a) all books to new books is 17 : 8

or in quotient form: 17/8

(b) all books to used books is 17 : 9

or in quotient form: 17/9