Ratio with added question.

Question

The ratio of boys to girls playing basketball was 3 to 5. When 12 more boys joined the game, the number of boys playing was the same as the number of girls. How many children in all are now playing basketball?

Answer 1

PRO TIP: It's usually best to assume variables for the items that represent the answer in part or full. This way when we solve for those variables, we directly arrive at the answer.

In this case, let's assume the following as of now -

X = number of boys playing as of now

Y = number of girls playing as of now

We have been given that X = Y ... Therefore, the total number of players now is simply 2*X or 2*Y

Before 12 more boys had joined, we had

number of boys = X -12

number of girls = Y (=X)

The ratio at that time of boys to girls was 3:5, or in other words..

(X - 12) / X = 3/5

5(X-12) = 3X

5X - 60 = 3X

2X = 60

or X = 30

Therefore, the total number of children now playing basketball is 2*X = 60 (answer)