The ratio of the staggering to the stumbling is 3 3/4 to 5. If 76 were stumbling, how many were staggering?

Question

The ratio of the staggering to the stumbling is 3 3/4 to 5. If 76 were stumbling, how many were staggering?

Answer 1

3 3/4 = 15/4

15/4 : 5 = x : 76

3/4 = x/76

x = 3/4 *76

x = 57

Answer 2

set up a proportion based on the ratio stagger : stumble.

3 3/4 : 5 = x : 76

(this would look better as to fractions set equal to each other...3 and 3/4 over 5 = x over 76.)

the product of the means = the product of the extremes. this is the same as cross multiplying.

(3 3/4)(76) = 5x

285 = 5x

x = 57 >>>>>> 57 are staggering

this is a reasonable answer. you knew it had to be less than 76, which it is. you also knew it had to be bigger than half of 76 (since 33/4 is larger than half of 5), which it is.