SOLUTION: The ratio of men to women in a class is 5 to 4. There are 270 people in the class. How many are women?

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Question 389868: The ratio of men to women in a class is 5 to 4. There are 270 people in the class. How many are women?
Found 2 solutions by ewatrrr, amalm06:
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Hi,  

270 people in the class     

Let x and (270-x) represent the number of men and women respectively

 questions States***

men/women = 5/4 = x/(270-x)

5%2F4+=+x%2F%28270-x%29 Cross mulitply to solve for x

 5(270-x) = 4x

 5*570 - 5x = 4x

      5*570 = 9x

        150 = x, the number of men. 120 women in the class.    (270-150)



CHECKING our Answer

  150/120 = 5/4

Answer by amalm06(224) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Denote men by M and women by W
Then M/W=5/4
Thus, in any group of 9 total people, 4 are women, e.g. 4/9
If there are 270 people, then (4/9)(270)= 120 women (Answer)