A florist had roses and tulips in the ratio 3 : 5 at first. There were 96 flowers altogether at first. The florist sold 12 roses and bought some tulips. After this, the ratio of the number of roses to the number of tulips became 1 : 4. How many flowers were there altogether after these changes?
- 96
- 108
- 120
- 132
Need a hint?
Find the number of roses and tulips at first using one part, then work out each new number before adding them.
Worked answer
- Total 96 is 3 + 5 = 8 parts, so 1 part = 12.
- Roses at first = 3 × 12 = 36; tulips at first = 5 × 12 = 60.
- Roses after selling 12 = 36 − 12 = 24.
- Tulips after = 4 × 24 = 96, since roses : tulips = 1 : 4.
- Total after = 24 + 96 = 120.
Answer: 120 flowers
The mistake this question tests
Habit
Stopped at one part in ratio
Pupils often stop at the original total of 96, or they forget that the sold roses are no longer in the shop when they add up the new total.
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See the answer →Practise PSLE ratio until the mistakes stop.
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