In a class full of men and women, 3/5 of the class are women. What is the ratio of men to women in its simplest form?

Answer 1

To solve a problem like this, look at the smallest class size possible, which is 5.

Class size = 5   

women = 3    

From this:

men = 5 – 3 = 2 (also, 2/5 of 5)

men:women = 2:3    (or 2/3)

Check for a class size of 25:

women = 3/5 x 25 = 15

men = 2/5 x 25 = 10

men:women = 10/15 = 2/3

Correct!