The ratio of the number of marbles in Box A to that in Box B is 3:5. Box A has 10 fewer marbles than Box B. How many marbles are there altogether?

Question

The ratio of the number of marbles in Box A to that in Box B is 3:5. Box A has 10 fewer marbles than Box B.

1) How many marbles are there altogether?

2)If 3 marbles are moved from Box A to Box B, what will be the new ratio of the marbles in Box A to that in Box B?

 

I asked this once but I don't think I specified the two separate problems to solve within the questions.  I'm also terrible at math so I may need it spelled out for me.   

Answer 1

Jill, there are 8 total "parts" of marbles, 3 in box A and 5 in box B. The 2-part difference is 10 marbles, so each part is 10/2 = 5 marbles.

 

1. There are 8(5) = 40 marbles altogether.

 

2. Box A starts with 3(5) = 15 and Box B starts with 5(5) = 25. If we move 3 from A to B, we now have a ratio of 22:28. Reduced, that's 11:14.