Solving Salary Ratios: A Step-by-Step Guide (With Examples!)
Understanding ratios is a crucial skill, especially when dealing with money! Ratios help us compare quantities and make smart decisions about our finances. Imagine you're comparing salaries – that's where ratios come in handy. This guide will show you how to solve a common salary ratio problem: "If the ratio of A's salary to B's salary is 5:7, and A earns a certain amount, how do we calculate B's salary?" Let's dive in!
Understanding the Salary Ratio: 5:7
Let's break down what a ratio like 5:7 means. In our example, it means that for every ₹5 A earns, B earns ₹7. It's all about the proportion. It doesn't mean A earns exactly ₹5 and B earns exactly ₹7. It shows their earnings relationship.
We know the ratio of A to B's salary is 5:7. This will help us find out B's salary once we have A's.
Step-by-Step Solution: Finding B's Salary
Here’s how to solve the problem step-by-step. Don't worry; it's easier than it looks!
Step 1: Identify the Given Information
First, let's gather what we know:
- Ratio of A:B = 5:7
- A's Salary = ₹2500
Step 2: Set up the Proportion
Now, we'll put the ratio and the known information into a proportion. A proportion is just two ratios set equal to each other.
So, we'll write it as: (A's Salary) / (B's Salary) = 5 / 7 or ₹2500 / (B's Salary) = 5 / 7
Step 3: Solve for B's Salary
To find B's salary, we'll use a method called cross-multiplication. Here's how it works:
- Multiply the numerator (top number) of the first ratio by the denominator (bottom number) of the second ratio: 5 * B's Salary
- Multiply the denominator (bottom number) of the first ratio by the numerator (top number) of the second ratio: 7 * ₹2500
- Set the two results equal to each other: 5 * B's Salary = 7 * ₹2500
- Isolate B's Salary by dividing both sides of the equation by 5: B's Salary = (7 * ₹2500) / 5
Step 4: Calculate the Answer
Now, let's do the math!
B's Salary = (7 * ₹2500) / 5
B's Salary = ₹17500 / 5
B's Salary = ₹3500
Step 5: Verify the Answer
Does our answer make sense? Let's check. We calculated B's salary as ₹3500. Let's see if it keeps the 5:7 ratio.
A's Salary : B's Salary = 2500 : 3500
Divide both by 500:
5 : 7
Yes! Our answer is correct.
Example Problems
Let's practice with a new example:
Problem 1: If the ratio of X's salary to Y's salary is 3:4, and X earns ₹3000, what does Y earn?
Solution:
- Set up the proportion: ₹3000 / (Y's Salary) = 3 / 4
- Cross-multiply: 3 * Y's Salary = 4 * ₹3000
- Solve for Y's Salary: Y's Salary = (4 * ₹3000) / 3 = ₹4000
Problem 2: The ratio of two salaries is 2:9. If the lower salary is ₹1000, what is the higher salary?
Solution:
- Set up the proportion: ₹1000 / (Higher Salary) = 2 / 9
- Cross-multiply: 2 * Higher Salary = 9 * ₹1000
- Solve for Higher Salary: Higher Salary = (9 * ₹1000) / 2 = ₹4500
Key Takeaways
- Understand the Ratio: Ratios express the relationship between two or more quantities.
- Set up the Proportion: Write the ratio and the given information as a proportion.
- Cross-Multiply: This is your key to solving for the unknown variable.
- Calculate and Verify: Always check if your answer makes sense in the context of the problem.
Understanding ratios is a valuable skill that goes beyond just salary comparisons. It applies to budgeting, investment, and many other financial decisions!
Conclusion
You've learned how to solve salary ratio problems! We took a problem and broke it down into easy steps. Remember, the ratio 5:7 doesn't mean exact amounts, but it expresses a proportional relationship. You can now confidently tackle these problems and apply this knowledge to other real-world situations.
Practice makes perfect! Try solving more ratio problems to strengthen your understanding. Happy calculating!
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