A preschool advertises that it has a 3 to 1 ratio of children to adults. If 24 children are enrolled, how many adults must be on staff?

Question

A preschool advertises that it has a 3 to 1 ratio of children to adults. If 24 children are enrolled, how many adults must be on staff?

Answer 1

a represents the number of adults

3 : 1 :: 24 : a   proportion

3a = 24            product means/extremes

 

Can you solve for a and answer? 

Answer 2

8

 

3/1 = 24/?

 

cross multiply:  3 * ? = 1 * 24

 

                       3 * ? = 24

 

                      ? = 24/3 = 8