Math Problem Statement

At a recent meeting, shoe styles were noticed. For every person wearing sneakers, there were two wearing dress shoes. For every two people wearing sandals, there were three wearing dress shoes. What is the ratio of sandals to sneakers?

Solution

To solve this, let’s define variables and set up the relationships given in the problem:

  1. Let ss represent the number of people wearing sneakers.
  2. Let dd represent the number of people wearing dress shoes.
  3. Let aa represent the number of people wearing sandals.

The problem provides the following relationships:

  1. For every person wearing sneakers, there are two people wearing dress shoes: d=2sd = 2s

  2. For every two people wearing sandals, there are three people wearing dress shoes: a2=d3\frac{a}{2} = \frac{d}{3} Cross-multiplying to clear the fractions gives: 3a=2d3a = 2d

Step 1: Substitute for dd in terms of ss

From the first equation, we know: d=2sd = 2s

Step 2: Substitute d=2sd = 2s into 3a=2d3a = 2d

Using the second equation 3a=2d3a = 2d and substituting d=2sd = 2s: 3a=2(2s)3a = 2(2s) 3a=4s3a = 4s

Step 3: Solve for the ratio of aa to ss

Divide both sides by 3: a=43sa = \frac{4}{3}s

This means the ratio of sandals to sneakers, as\frac{a}{s}, is: as=43\frac{a}{s} = \frac{4}{3}

Conclusion

The ratio of sandals to sneakers is 4:3.

Would you like further details or have any questions?


Here are some related questions:

  1. If there were 12 people wearing dress shoes, how many people were wearing sneakers and sandals?
  2. What would the ratio of dress shoes to sneakers be if there were 10 people wearing sneakers?
  3. How would the ratios change if there were equal numbers of people wearing each shoe style?
  4. How can we determine the total number of people at the meeting if we know one of the shoe counts?
  5. If 15 people wore sandals, how many people wore sneakers and dress shoes?

Tip: When solving ratio problems, identify all relationships and try to express everything in terms of one variable for easier calculation.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Ratios
Proportions
Basic Algebra

Formulas

d = 2s
3a = 2d

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-8