A salsa recipe uses green pepper, onion, and tomato in the extended ratio 2 : 5 : 8. How many cups of onion are needed to make 105 cups of salsa?

Question

A salsa recipe uses green pepper, onion, and tomato in the extended ratio 2 : 5 : 8. How many cups of onion are needed to make 105 cups of salsa?

Answer 1

Kane, if there are 2:5:8 parts, then there are 15 total parts (2+5+8=15).

 

105/15 = 7, which means you need 7 times the parts of each.

 

7 x 5 = 35 cups of onion to make 105 cups of salsa.

 

Not that it asks, but 7 x 2 = 14 cups of green pepper and 7 x 8 = 56 cups of tomato. 35 + 14 + 56 = 105 total cups of salsa, and 14:35:56 reduces to 2:5:8.

 

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Hi Kane,

 

One key to solving this is getting the total number for 1 cup of salsa.  When you add the 3 numbers (2 + 5 + 8), we get 15.

 

So, now we get set up our proportion formula, and solve by cross-multiplying.  The key at this stage is to put the X in the right place.  In this case X is how many cups of onions.

 

The formula is:  5/15 = X/105

 

When we cross-multiply ... 15X = 5 x 105  (It's not easy to see in this format, but I think you get it.)

 

You can do the math from there I'm sure.  You should get 15X = 525 ... X = 35

 

Remember with ratios/proportions- Set up as fractions, being careful where you put the variable (X), and cross-multiply.  I hope that helps.

 

Paul L.