Question

Find the number that must be subtracted from the terms of the ratio $5:6$ to make it equal to $2:3$.

• A. $2$
• B. $3$
• C. $4$
• D. $5$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $3$

Given the ratio of two numbers is a:b, then the number that should be subtracted from each of the numbers in order to make this ratio $c:d$ is given by $\frac{bc-ad}{c-d}$.

Given from term of ratio $5:6$ to make it equal to $2:3$.

Here $a=5,b=6,c=2$ and $d=3$

$\therefore \frac{bc-ad}{c-d}=\frac{6\times 2-5\times 3}{2-3}=\frac{12-15}{-1}=\frac{-3}{-1}=3$

Then, $3$ is subtracted from the terms of $5:6$ to make the ratio $2:3$.