How do you solve #3:12 = x:16#?

1 Answer
Jul 26, 2016

x = 4

Explanation:

We can express the ratios as fractions.

#rArr3/12=x/16#

Solve for x by #color(blue)"cross-multiplication"#

#color(red)(3)/color(blue)(12)=color(blue)(x)/color(red)(16)#

multiply the same colours across (X) the fraction.

#rArrcolor(blue)(12x)=color(red)(3xx16)=color(red)(48)#

now we have to solve : 12x = 48

divide both sides by 12

#(cancel(12)^1x)/cancel(12)^1=cancel(48)^4/cancel(12)^1rArrx=4#

That is 3:12 = 4:16 = 1:4 'in simplest form'