SOLUTION: I am a parent that is homeschooling. This is a word problem that I have the answer too, but I am not quite sure how they came up with the ratio that they used to solve the answer.

Algebra ->  Percentage-and-ratio-word-problems -> SOLUTION: I am a parent that is homeschooling. This is a word problem that I have the answer too, but I am not quite sure how they came up with the ratio that they used to solve the answer.       Log On


   

Question 160956: I am a parent that is homeschooling. This is a word problem that I have the answer too, but I am not quite sure how they came up with the ratio that they used to solve the answer. Question states:
There are two books that have 2,400 total number of pages. The ratio of pages is 3 to 5. How many pages are in each book?
They answer key states that the proportion is 3/8 = x/2400. The 3/8 doesn't make sense. But the answer is 900 pages for 1 book and 1500. The answers make sense and they are a 3 to 5 ratio but where did the 3 to 8 ratio come from?
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the 8 is the 5 plus the 3

suppose one book was 300 pages and the other book was 500 pages
__ the page ratio between the books is 3 to 5

but if you look at the total pages, one book has 3/8 and the other has 5/8