A ratio that changes after a transfer
A ratio problem where transferring items between two people changes the ratio and the difference between them.
The Question
Sam and Tia share sweets in the ratio 3:5. Tia gives Sam 6 sweets and they now have equal amounts. How many sweets are there altogether?
The Answer
Reveal the Answer
The gap is 2 units. Moving 6 across closes a gap of 12, so 2 units = 12 and 1 unit = 6. Total = 8 units = 48. The key insight is that a transfer of 6 changes the difference by 12, not 6.
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Practice Sheet + Marked Answers
The four-question practice sheet, the solutions in our teaching voice and a self-marking quiz for this question are part of The Question Desk course — every school day of the term, with progress you can see. Enrolled group students get it included.
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