Question

Calculate the total number of crayons if the ratio of green crayons to red crayons is $3:5$.

• A. $8$
• B. $16$
• C. Cannot be determined

Answer 1

The correct option is C Cannot be determined

The given ratio of green crayons to red crayons is $3:5$.

Drawing the tape diagram,
From the tape diagram, we can count the total number of crayons, which is $3+5=8$.

Although, the number of crayons can be more if the tape diagram is drawn this way.
The ratio of green crayons to red crayons will be $\frac{6}{10}=\frac{3}{5},$ which is the same as the given ratio $3:5$.

According to the above case, the total number of crayons is $6+10=16$.

Hence, we cannot calculate the exact number of crayons just by knowing the ratio.

Therefore, the total number of crayons cannot be determined.