Question

A philatelic collection is comprised of stamps from Germany, US, and India. . If the ratio of american stamps to Indian stamps is 5 to 2. The ratio of German stamps to Indian stamps is 5 to 1. What is the ratio american to German stamps?

Answer 1

please show the work

Answer 2

US : Germany : India = 5 : 10 : 2

US : Germany = 5 : 10 = 1 : 2

Answer 3

i also have a problem that is similar with this
i also want to learn how this works :)

Answer 4

call america A, Germany G, india I

Answer 5

ok

Answer 6

A:I = 5:2
G:I = 5:1

Answer 7

where : means "to" , as in, ratio, like 1/2 is 1:2 ,

Answer 8

ok got you

Answer 9

we want to find A:G or A/ G

Answer 10

A:G = something : something

Answer 11

we know that A/I = 5/2, and G/I = 5/1, so lets solve for A and G in terms of I ,
A = 5/2* I , and G = 5/1 * I

Answer 12

so A/G = ( 5/2) / ( 5/1) = (5/2) / ( 5) = (5/2) * 1/5 = 5/10 = 1/2

Answer 13

oh yeah, i forgot to mention, the I's cancel when you do A/G

Answer 14

leaveing you with just numbers

Answer 15

A/G = ( 5/2*I ) / ( 5/1* I )
I means the letter I

Answer 16

yeah sure. Awesome man, I finally got it :)

Answer 17

oh that looks confusing sorry

Answer 18

ok lets use lower case i , so

Answer 19

no its ok. I got it

Answer 20

A/G = ( 5/2*i ) / ( 5/1* i ) , and the i's cancel

Answer 21

could it be 5/2=5/1?
so it will be 5/10 or 1:2?

Answer 22

right, 1:2

Answer 23

you have a typo, should be 5/2 : 5/1 , not

Answer 24

oh yes

Answer 25

so it is correct?

Answer 26

yup

Answer 27

cantor - thats a good explanation of the process. Its peculiar - though i consider myself to be good at math, i've always had a mental block when it comes to ratios - thank you.

Answer 28

no problem , :)

Answer 29

heres a shorter proof

Answer 30

A/ i = 5/2, G/i = 5/1, and notice that if i do
( A/i) / ( G/i ) , the i's will cancel,
so (A/i) / ( G/i) =( 5/2) / ( 5/1) ,
but the left side cancels to A/G, and the right side is 1:2 after simplification

Answer 31

That is very clear, Cantor! Thanks for that!