Question

the ratio of chocolate cones to vanilla cones sold at an ice cream shop is 5:4 if 54 cones were sold how many were chocolate?

Answer 1

Cross multiply and solve for x.

5/9 = x/54

Answer 2

I think Ms Sue misread the question.

let the number of chocs be 5x
let the number of vanillas be 4x

5x + 4x=54
9x=54
x = 6
so number of chocolates = 5x = 30
number of vanillas = 4x = 24

check:
total is 54
and 30:24 = 5:4

Answer 3

Sorry Ms Sue, your answer will produce the right answer.
Should have looked at your fraction more carefully.