Find the fraction of $54000 corresponding to 1, 3 and 8 in 1:3:8:
First, sum up 1, 3 and 8: 1+3+8 = 12. Next, divide 1, 3 and 8 by this sum (12): (1/12), (3/12) and (8/12). Next, mult. $54000 by each of these 3 fractions:
(1/12)($54000), (3/12)($54000), AND (8/12)($54000), or
$4500, $13500, $36000
Check: Do these amounts sum up to the original $54000?
$ 4500 +13500 +36000 ------------ $54000 YES. How would you show that these 3 amounts are in the ratio 1:3:8?