ratioProportion · Year 7 · Suggested learning sequence
Sharing in a ratio
To share an amount in a ratio, first add the terms to find how many equal parts there are. Sharing $60 in the ratio 2:3 gives 2 + 3 = 5 parts. Divide the total by the number of parts to find one part: $60 ÷ 5 = $12. Then multiply by how many parts each share has: the smaller share is 2 × $12 = $24 and the larger share is 3 × $12 = $36. Always do both steps — one part on its own is not the answer, and a ratio is not an equal split.
Sample questions
Share $30 in the ratio 2:3. What is the larger share?
- The ratio 2:3 has 2 + 3 = 5 equal parts.
- One part is $30 ÷ 5 = $6.
- The larger share is 3 parts: 3 × $6 = $18.
Answer: 18
Share $14 in the ratio 3:4. What is the larger share?
- The ratio 3:4 has 3 + 4 = 7 equal parts.
- One part is $14 ÷ 7 = $2.
- The larger share is 4 parts: 4 × $2 = $8.
Answer: 8
Share $24 in the ratio 1:2. What is the larger share?
- The ratio 1:2 has 1 + 2 = 3 equal parts.
- One part is $24 ÷ 3 = $8.
- The larger share is 2 parts: 2 × $8 = $16.
Answer: 16