Question

Of the 240 students eating lunch, 96 purchased their lunch and the rest brought a bag lunch. What is the ratio of students purchasing lunch to students bringing a bag lunch?

Answer 1

`2" ":" "3`

Explanation:

The number of students who bring a bag lunch = `240-96 = 144`

A ratio is a comparison between the two quantities.

`" students who purchase ":" students who bring"`

`color(white)(xxxxxxxxxxxxxx)96" ":" "144" "larr` find simplest form

`color(white)(xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)8" ":" "12" "larr div 12`

`color(white)(xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)2" ":" "3" "larr div 4`

If you had recognised that the `HCF` was `48` you could get the the simplest form immediately. If not, divide by any common factors.