Question 1176617
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The ratio of right-handed to left-handed is 7:2
This could mean we have 7 right-handed people and 2 left-handed people. This gives 7+2 = 9 total students in the class.


However, we're told that we actually have 36 total students. The jump from 9 to 36 is "times 4", since 36/9 = 4.


So we must multiply every value of 7:2 by 4 to get 
7*4 = 28
2*4 = 8


Then note how 28+8 = 36 and how the ratio 28:8 reduces to 7:2 when you divide both parts by 4. Put another way, 7:2 turns into 28:8 when you multiply both parts by 4.


The ratio 28:8 means we have 28 right-handed people and 8 left-handed people.


Answer: 8
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