The describing the rule means to explain how they get to the next result then the next result then the next it is what has to happen to get to the next answer ... I hope this helps !! :)
So he started with 3/4 lb and ended up with 2/3 of that so 2/3 of 3/4
'of' can be roughly translated as multiply
so 2/3 times 3/4 =6/12=1/2 lb left
or you know that there are 3 out of 4 parts pound left so 2 out of 3 parts of nuts is = 2/4 or 1/2 lb
Eight cats for every three goats is a ratio between the cats and goat, so it would be 8:3
