The ratio of the number of boys to that of the girls in a school is 9 : 7. If the number of girls in the school is 189, then the number of boys in that school will be:
- AOption (a)
126
- BOption (b)
243
- COption (c)
168
- DOption (d)
147
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Correct answer
243
Why this answer is correct
Shortcut Trick
Ratio of Boys : Girls = 9 : 7
Given, 7 units (Girls) = 189
Value of 1 unit = 189 ÷ 7 = 27
Number of Boys = 9 units = 9 × 27 = 243
∴ The correct answer is 243.
Alternate Method
Given:
Ratio of Boys to Girls = 9 : 7
Total number of girls = 189
Formula Used:
If the ratio of two quantities is a : b, and the value of one quantity is known, the other can be found using the unitary method or the constant of proportionality (x).
Calculations:
⇒ Let the number of boys in the school be 9x and girls be 7x.
⇒ According to the question, 7x = 189
⇒ x = 189 ÷ 7
⇒ x = 27
⇒ Now, number of boys = 9x
⇒ Number of boys = 9 × 27
⇒ Number of boys = 243
∴ The correct answer is 243.
Additional Information
Ratio and Proportion
A ratio is a comparison of two quantities of the same kind by division. If a/b = c/d, then a, b, c, d are in proportion.
Scaling of Ratios
Multiplying or dividing both terms of a ratio by the same non-zero number does not change the ratio (a : b = am : bm).
Mean and Extreme Proportional
In the proportion a : b :: c : d, the product of extremes (a × d) is always equal to the product of means (b × c).
