An easy question on ratios for P5, with a step-by-step solution, diagrams and the answer. Ratio questions appear in the Hua Xia Cup's P4 to P6 first rounds, qualifying rounds and finals, such as linked ratios and ratios that change.
The question
On a school trip, 87 pupils travel in two coaches, A and B, and every pupil is on one of them.
The numbers of pupils on coach A and coach B are in the ratio 2 :
1.
How many pupils are on coach A?
Show the hints (2)
💡Hint 1: 2 : 1 means: split them into equal parts, coach A having 2 of them and coach B 1. How many parts in all?
💡Hint 2: Share 87 equally into that many parts: how much is one part?
Worked solution
Have a go first, then read the solution step by step.
1.Split them into 2 + 1 = 3 equal parts: coach A has 2 parts and coach B 1 part.
2.The 3 parts make 87, so 1 part = 87 ÷ 3 = 29.
3.Coach A has 2 parts: 2 × 29 = 58.
⚠️Common mistake: working out 87 ÷ 2. 2 : 1 splits the total into 3 parts, not 2.
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