Quandaries and Queries
  


Who is asking: Student
Level: Middle

Question:
In the ratio 3:8=17__, can__be a whole number? Explain your answer.



Hi,

Look at two ratios that are equal like

3:5 = 6:10 I know they are equal since 6 is 2 times 3, and 10 is 2 times 5. That is each part of the ratio on the right is the same multiple of the corresponding part on the left.

Another example is

27:15= 9:5 Here 9 is 1/3 times 27, and 5 is 1/3 times 15.

In your example 17 is 17/3 times 3 so the second part of the ration on the right is 17/3 times 8 which is not a whole number.

Penny


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