A ratio is 3:4. If the total parts are 28, how many parts are in the first ratio?

A ratio is 3:4. If the total parts are 28, how many parts are in the first ratio?

• A. 8
• B. 16
• C. 12
• D. 4

Answer: (C)

You're dividing a total into parts proportional to the two numbers in the ratio. The total parts come from adding the parts of the ratio: 3 + 4 = 7. So the 28 total parts are split into 7 equal units, with each unit worth 28 ÷ 7 = 4 parts. The first part of the ratio uses 3 of those units, so 3 × 4 = 12 parts. Therefore, the number of parts in the first ratio is 12.

You're dividing a total into parts proportional to the two numbers in the ratio. The total parts come from adding the parts of the ratio: 3 + 4 = 7. So the 28 total parts are split into 7 equal units, with each unit worth 28 ÷ 7 = 4 parts. The first part of the ratio uses 3 of those units, so 3 × 4 = 12 parts. Therefore, the number of parts in the first ratio is 12.