Question 1124967
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Let x be the capacity of a large container; then the capacity of a medium container is (1/3)x and the capacity of a small container is (1/5)x.  So the ratio of the capacities of the three sizes of containers is<br>
1 : 1/3 : 1/5<br>
The problem could of course be worked that way; but I would prefer to express the ratio as whole numbers.  Multiplied by the least common denominator 15, the ratio is<br>
15 : 5 : 3<br>
So now let the capacities of the three sizes of containers be
large: 15x
medium: 5x
small: 3x<br>
The capacity of 90 medium containers will then be 90*5x = 450x.<br>
The capacity of one large and one small container is 15x+3x = 18x.<br>
The number of large and small containers required to have a capacity equal to 90 medium containers is<br>
(450x)/(18x) = 25.<br>
Answer: 25 small containers would have to be filled.