Question

there are 270 at Colfax Middle School, where the ratio of boys to girls is 5:4. there are 180 students at Winthrop Middle School where the ratio of boys to girls is 4:5. The two schools hold a dance and all students from both schools attend. What fraction of the students at the dance are girls? Make sure to show all work.

Answer 1

Colfax:

Add the ratio numbers together:

5 + 4 = 9

Divide total students by that:

270 / 9 = 30

Multiply each ratio by 30:

Boys = 30 *5 = 150

Girls = 30 * 4 = 120

Do the same for Winthrop:

4 +5 = 9

180 /9 = 20

Boys = 20 * 4 = 80

Girls = 20 * 5 = 100

Total students = 270 + 180 = 450

Total Girls = 120 + 100 = 220

Fraction that are girls = 220 / 450 which reduces to 22/45