Question

Sylvia worked 3 hours and 45 minutes, while Paul worked 4 hours and 35 minutes. What’s the ratio of Sylvia’s work time to Paul’s work time, in minutes

Answer 1

225-275 and then you just have to simplify which turns out to be 9-11 minutes so for every 9 minutes Sylvia works Paul works 11

Answer 2

Answer: 9 / 11

That is approximately 0.82

Explanation:

The ratio of two quantities x and y is x divided by y, i.e. the quotient x / y.

So, the ratio of Sylia's work time to Paul's work time is:

Sylvia's work time
---------------------------
Paul's work time

Given that you have the times in mixed units, hours and minutes, you must convert to one of the, either hours or minutes.

If you choose to work with hours, this is the work:

1) Silvia's time: 3 hours and 45 minutes = 3 hours + 45 / 60 hours = 3hours + 0.75 hours = 3.75 hours

2) Paul's work time: 4 hours and 35 minutes = 4 hours + 35/60 hours = 4 hours + 7/12 hours = (48+7)/12 = 55/12 hours ≈ 4.58 hours

3) Ratio:

Sylvia's work time             3.75 hours            3.75*12         45          9
------------------------- =      --------------------- = ---------------- =  -------- =   -----
Paul's work time               (55/12) hours            55              55         11

≈ 0.82

You can calculate the ratio using minutes and shall obtain the same result. Look:

1) 3 hours + 45 minutes = 3 * 60  minutes + 45 minutes = 180 minutes + 45 minutes = 225 minutes

2) 4 hours + 35 minutes = 4*60 minutes + 35 minutes = 240 minutes + 35 minutes = 275 minutes

3)

225 minutes          9
----------------- =     ------, which is the same result obtained above.
275 minutes         11