Sharing Ratio -- A shop sells a mix of small chocolate bars and large chocolate bars

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving the sale of small and large chocolate bars in a specific ratio. Participants explore the implications of the given ratio and total number of bars sold, questioning the validity of the problem statement and the feasibility of obtaining fractional packs.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the problem is poorly constructed due to the potential for fractional packs when calculating the number of small bars sold.
  • Another participant agrees that their calculations also resulted in a non-integer number of small packs, suggesting that showing work could lead to better advice.
  • A participant inquires about the minimum number of candy bars that can be sold while maintaining the 5:2 ratio, seeking to understand how the total of 95 fits into this context.
  • Some participants assert that the total number of bars sold should be 190 instead of 95, indicating a possible error in the problem statement.
  • One participant details their calculation process, which leads to a conclusion of 50 small bars sold, but expresses confusion over the implication of purchasing half a pack.
  • Another participant reiterates the confusion regarding the concept of half a small pack, emphasizing the inconsistency in the problem setup.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the correctness of the problem statement, with some asserting that the total should be 190 instead of 95. There is no consensus on the validity of the calculations or the interpretation of fractional packs.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in the problem statement, particularly regarding the total number of bars sold and the implications of fractional packs, which remain unresolved.

paulb203
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TL;DR
Silly question?
A shop sells small chocolate bars and large chocolate bars

The small bars are sold in packs of 4
The large bars are sold in packs of 9

On one day;

packs of small sold ; packs of large sold = 5:2

A total of 95 bars were sold

How many small bars were sold?

*

My question; Is this an example of a badly thought out question? The only answer I can come up with involves a fraction of a pack, which doesn't seem to make sense.

(It's from Maths Genie).
 
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I also got an answer with a fraction of a small pack. You should show your work if you want better advice.
 
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What is the minimum number of candy bars that can be sold with the 5:2 ratio. The next smallest? The one after that?

How does 95 fit into this?
 
I should have said that I got an answer that had a non-integer number of small packs.
 
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paulb203 said:
A total of 95 bars were sold
## 95 ## is an error in the problem statement.
It should be ## 190 ##.
 
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FactChecker said:
I also got an answer with a fraction of a small pack. You should show your work if you want better advice.
Ah, sorry.

I started with the ratio of 5:2 for the packs
Then mulitiplied this by the number of bars in the packs to get 20:18
Then simplified that to 10:9, which gives us 19 parts

95/19 = 5

10(5)=50 small bars

50 bars/4 in a pack = 12.5 packs

But you can't (normally) buy .5 of a pack (?!)
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
What is the minimum number of candy bars that can be sold with the 5:2 ratio. The next smallest? The one after that?

How does 95 fit into this?
Minimum;
5(4) : 2(9)
= 38

Next smallest;
10(4) : 4(9)
=76

Next;
15(4) : 6(9)
=114

Yeah, how does 95 fit?
 
Gavran said:
## 95 ## is an error in the problem statement.
It should be ## 190 ##.
I'm glad to hear you say that. I took ages over this one, thinking I must be going wrong somewhere.
 
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paulb203 said:
Ah, sorry.

I started with the ratio of 5:2 for the packs
Then mulitiplied this by the number of bars in the packs to get 20:18
Then simplified that to 10:9, which gives us 19 parts

95/19 = 5

10(5)=50 small bars

50 bars/4 in a pack = 12.5 packs

But you can't (normally) buy .5 of a pack (?!)
I agree. That's correct. I don't know what half of a small pack means.
 
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