Multiple Ratios

[Marghe]

Hello,

I am having problem to understand how to make a common term to solve multiple ratios.
I can not post the specific example for copyright reason, but I give another one from myself:

If I say, the ratio of green candies to red candies is 8 to 4, and the ratio of blue candies to green candies is 2 to 8. If the number of yellow candies to red candies is 3 to 4, what is the ratio of blue candies to yellow candies?

I do not understand how to find the common term to shape the new ratio.

Could you please help me.

Margherita Vittoria

[mondegreen]

If I say, the ratio of green candies to red candies is 8 to 4, and the ratio of blue candies to green candies is 2 to 8. If the number of yellow candies to red candies is 3 to 4, what is the ratio of blue candies to yellow candies?

G:R = 8:4
B:G = 2:8
Y:R = 3:4
B:Y = ?

For every 8 greens,we have 4 reds. Again, for every 8 greens, we have 2 blues. Now, imagine that 8 greens is ONE unit. Thus, for the same ONE unit of green candy, I have 4 reds to every 2 blues, i.e. R:B = 4:2.

Again, similarly, for every 4 reds, I have 3 yellows. Thus, the final ratio of B:Y = 2:3.

[Marghe]

Well, I did your same reasoning, but I am not sure that is the right one. I mean, it would been easier if the ratio involved just two variables.
Here we have 4 different candies, and I think we should use the merging process by multiplying the ratios and by finding the common term to match up.
That is why I am having trouble. I do not know how the common term comes up.

[jnelson0612]

Well, I did your same reasoning, but I am not sure that is the right one. I mean, it would been easier if the ratio involved just two variables.
Here we have 4 different candies, and I think we should use the merging process by multiplying the ratios and by finding the common term to match up.
That is why I am having trouble. I do not know how the common term comes up.

Marg, I think that a different problem would help you understand this better. Please see this thread: marble-ratios-t4787.html

Read only the first post (the question) and then go right to the post by esledge, one of our instructors. She shows how to properly set up this kind of problem. Please check back here if you need more help.

[Marghe]

Thank you very much for posting the thread. That is what I needed to come up with the common multiple.

It seems the same process we use in fractions.




Best,

Margherita Vittoria

[jnelson0612]

Great news! Thanks for letting me know. :-)