i dont know what this means?

Question

First and second place in a contest use a ratio to share a cash prize. When first place pays $100 second places pays $60. How much does first place get when second places pays $36?

Answer 1

100/60=10/6=5/3

the ratio of first place cash to second place cash is 5/3

for every 5 dollars in first place money there is 3 dollars in second place money

use a proportion

5/3=F/36 where F=first place money

12*3=36 so 12*5=60, $60 in first place money

or cross multiply...

3*F=5*36

3F=180

F=180/3

F=$60