math question

Question

Find the unknown quantity for the following ratios and proportions.
The ratio of linemen to foremen on a certain project is 8:1. If there are 48 linemen on the project, how many foremen are there?

Answer 1

Hi Madje!

 

The way I think of 8:1 is for every 1 foreman, there will be 8 linemen - or, said another way, for every 8 linemen, there has to be 1 foreman.. This means, if there is 1 foreman, there will be 8 linemen.  If 2 foremen, 16 linemen.  3 foremen, 24 linemen.  Using this information, take a minute and see if you can see a pattern........

 

What did you find?  

 

Now reverse the pattern.  If there are 8 linemen, there will be 1 foreman.  If 16 linemen, there will be 2 foremen.  24 linemen, 3 foremen.  Now try to find the pattern........

 

Try to use your pattern to answer the question yourself.  After you try it yourself, check my answer:

 

 

 

 

 

 

8:1 linemen to foremen.  With 48 linemen you would need 6 foremen.

 

I'm available online to help you anytime.  

 

Becky

Answer 2

You can use the given ratio as shown below: 

 

8/1=48/x

8x=48

x=6