A pet shop has 96 goldfish and 144 guppies. What is the ratio of the number of goldfish to the total number of fish, in its simplest form?
- 2 : 3
- 2 : 5
- 3 : 5
- 96 : 240
Need a hint?
Compare the goldfish with the total number of fish, not with the guppies. Then divide both numbers by their highest common factor.
Worked answer
- Total number of fish = 96 + 144 = 240.
- Ratio goldfish : total = 96 : 240.
- Find the highest common factor of 96 and 240, which is 48.
- Divide both terms by 48: 96 ÷ 48 = 2 and 240 ÷ 48 = 5.
- Answer: 2 : 5.
The mistake this question tests
Simplest form in final fraction answers
Comparing goldfish with guppies gives 2 : 3, which ignores the question's total. Stopping at 96 : 240 without simplifying is also incomplete.
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