Dividing in a Given Ratio

Split any amount into parts proportionally

The Method

Step 1: Add the ratio parts to find the total number of parts.
Step 2: Divide the total amount by the total parts to find the value of one part.
Step 3: Multiply each ratio number by the value of one part.

Examples

Divide $100 in the ratio 3:2
Total parts: 3 + 2 = 5
One part: $100 ÷ 5 = $20
First share: 3 × $20 = $60
Second share: 2 × $20 = $40

Check: $60 + $40 = $100 ✓

Split 45 marbles in the ratio 2:3:4
Total parts: 2 + 3 + 4 = 9
One part: 45 ÷ 9 = 5
Shares: 2×5 = 10, 3×5 = 15, 4×5 = 20

Check: 10 + 15 + 20 = 45 ✓

Always Check Your Answer

💡 Verification: Add your shares together. They must equal the original total. Also check that the shares are in the correct ratio — divide them by the smallest share and see if you get the original ratio numbers.

🎯 Practice Problems

1. Divide $80 in the ratio 3:1. What is the larger share?
A) $60
B) $20
C) $40
D) $30
2. Split 36 cookies in the ratio 2:1. How many does each person get?
A) 24 and 12
B) 18 and 18
C) 20 and 16
D) 12 and 24
3. Divide 60 in the ratio 1:2:3. What is the largest share?
A) 10
B) 20
C) 30
D) 60

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🎯 Bonus Practice

1. Two partners split profits in the ratio 5:3. Total profit is $400. What does the first partner get?
A) $200
B) $250
C) $150
D) $300
2. Divide 150 in the ratio 2:3. What is the smaller share?
A) 50
B) 60
C) 75
D) 90
3. A 750ml drink is mixed in the ratio 2:1 (juice:water). How much juice?
A) 250ml
B) 375ml
C) 500ml
D) 150ml
4. Three siblings share an inheritance of $120,000 in the ratio 1:2:3. What does the middle sibling get?
A) $20,000
B) $40,000
C) $60,000
D) $30,000
5. A rope 35 feet long is cut in the ratio 4:3. How long is the shorter piece?
A) 15 feet
B) 20 feet
C) 5 feet
D) 12 feet