Question

The ratio of pens to pencils that Jose has on his desk is 5:3. If Jose has 15 pens on his desk then how many pencils does he have?

Answer 1

Let the no. of pencils be x,

= 5/3 = 15/x

Do cross multiplication

= 5x = 15 × 3

= x = 45/5

= x = 9

No of pencils = 9

Answer 2

9 pencils

Explanation:

We know that the ratio is 5:3 and its pens to pencils. So, every 5 pens have 3 pencils. Now Jose has 15 pens, so his pen supply triples. therefore his pencil supply must also triple. So 3x3=9.