Question

there are red and blue counters in the ratio 3:8. two red counters are taken out and the ratio of red to blue is now 1:3. how many blue counters are there?

Answer 1

Answer = 48 blue counters

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There are originally 18 red and 48 blue.

The ratio of 3:8 is multiplied by six

3 x 6 = 18
8 x 6 = 48

Take out two red

18 - 2 = 16

The ratio 16:48 (divide by 3) simplifies to 1:3
so it fits.