Determine the ratio of boys and girls

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the present ratio of boys and girls in a college after their respective populations have increased by certain percentages. The context is algebraic reasoning related to a homework problem.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants state the initial ratio of boys to girls is 5:8 and inquire about the new ratio after increases of 20% for boys and 15% for girls.
  • One participant proposes a method of rewriting the ratio as 1:8/5 and calculates the new ratio as 24:35 after applying the percentage increases.
  • Another participant uses a different approach, multiplying the initial ratio by the factors corresponding to the percentage increases, arriving at a ratio of 15:23.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present different methods and arrive at different ratios (24:35 and 15:23), indicating that there is no consensus on the final answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants use different mathematical approaches, which may depend on their interpretations of the percentage increases and the initial ratio. The discussion does not resolve which method is correct.

burgess
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Help me to solve algebra 1 homework

In a college boys and girls are in the ratio of 5 : 8. This year number of boys and girls increased by 20% and 15% respectively. So what is the present ratio of boys and girls in the college?

Thanks
 
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burgess said:
Help me to solve algebra 1 homework

In a college boys and girls are in the ratio of 5 : 8. This year number of boys and girls increased by 20% and 15% respectively. So what is the present ratio of boys and girls in the college?

Thanks

First of all, I want to go to this college ;)

Anyway, when they're in the ratio of 5:8 we can write it as 1:8/5.

If the number of boys is increased by 20%, you end up with another 1/5, giving 6/5:8/5.

If the number of girls is increased by 15%, you end up with another 3/20, giving a ratio of 6/5 : 7/4

Simplifying this ratio we get 6x4 : 7x5, or 24:35.
 
Hello, burgess!

In a college boys and girls are in the ratio of 5 : 8.
This year number of boys and girls increased by 20% and 15% respectively.
What is the present ratio of boys and girls in the college?
We have: $\:\dfrac{B}{G} \,=\,\dfrac{5}{8}$

Multiply by $\frac{1.2}{1.15}\!: \;\dfrac{1.2B}{1.15G} \:=\:\dfrac{1.2}{1.15}\left(\dfrac{5}{8}\right) \:=\:\dfrac{6}{9.2} $

Therefore: $\:\dfrac{1.2B}{1.15G} \:=\:\dfrac{60}{92} \:=\:\dfrac{15}{23}$
 
Thank you all for your responses
 

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