Question

A piano has 88 keys; 36 are black and the rest are white. Which of the following would be the ratio of black keys to white keys on the piano?

Answer 1

9 black keys : 13 white keys

Explanation:

Answer 2

w = white keys
b = black keys

w + b = 88

We know the number of black keys, it is 36

w + 36 = 88

w + 36 - 36 = 88 - 36

w = 52

So, the number of white keys is 52.

Now, we can write the ratio.

It would be :

b : w

36 : 52

Let's simplify . . .

They are both divisible by 4:

36/4 : 52/4

Simplifies to . . .

9 : 13

So, the ratio is 9 black keys: 13 white keys.

Final Answer: 9 black keys : 13 white keys

*I looked to see if this was actually true on a real piano, and it was!