Leo+DadMade for Leo
Solving Problems Involving Ratios
Rung 2 of 4 · The method

The Parts Method

Four little moves, the same every single time. Get them into your fingers and any "share this in the ratio" question becomes routine.


PractiseHit “new problem”, work out the two shares, then check yourself. Reveal the steps if you get stuck.
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Every "share an amount in a ratio" question runs on the same four moves. Learn them once and you never have to think about it again.

The Four Moves

One — add the parts. The ratio a : b has a + b equal parts in total. That sum is the number you'll divide by.

Two — find one part. one part = whole ÷ total parts. This is the heart of it — the value of a single equal chunk.

Three — scale each share. Each person's share is their parts × value of one part. So one gets a × (one part), the other gets b × (one part).

Four — check it adds back. The two shares must total the whole again. If they don't, hunt for the slip.

A Worked One

Share $30 in the ratio 3 : 2. Parts: 3 + 2 = 5. One part: 30 ÷ 5 = 6. Shares: 3 × 6 = 18 and 2 × 6 = 12. Check: 18 + 12 = 30 ✓. Done — $18 and $12.

Say it plainly: add the parts, divide to find one part, multiply each share up, then check it adds back. Same four moves, every question.

Three-part Ratios? Same Deal

If the ratio is 2 : 3 : 5, nothing changes — there are just more parts. Total parts = 2 + 3 + 5 = 10, find one part, then scale all three. The method doesn't care how many people are sharing.

Us, Thinking Out Loud

Could you teach me the four moves without peeking?

Why is the "check it adds back" step worth doing every time?