math queston

Question

The school band is comprised of middle school students and high school students, but it always has the same
maximum capacity. Last year the ratio of the number of middle school students to the number of high school
students was 1: 8. However, this year the ratio of the number of middle school students to the number of high
school students changed to 2: 7. If there are 18 middle school students in the band this year, how many fewer high
school students are in the band this year compared to last year? Explain.

Answer 1

Jessi, if there are 7 HS students for every 2 MS students and there are 18 MS students...

 

18/2 = 9

9(7) = 63

 

So, there are 18 + 63 = 81 total students.

 

Since we had 9 parts last year also (1:8), 81/9 = 9 students are in each part. 8 students in each part are HS and one is MS.

 

8(9) = 72 HS students last year.

 

72 - 63 = 9 fewer HS students than last year.

 

Hope this helps!