Question

a supplier sells 2 1/4 pounds of mulch for every 1 1/3 pounds of gravel. The supplier sells 172 pounds of mulch and gravel combined. how many pounds of each item did the supplier sell?

Answer 1

We first write the fractions in their decimal forms and find out the ratio.

2 1/4 is equivalent to 2.25, and 1 1/3  is equivalent to 1.33

Ratio will be 2.25 / 1.33 = 1.69  or 1.7 rounded off. Since it cannot be simplified further, then the ratio of mulch to gravel will be 1.7: 1

Quantity of mulch sold → 1.7/2.7 of 172 →0.629 ×172 = 108.2 pounds

Quantity of gravel sold will be  172 -108. 2 = 63 .8 pounds