On a flight from San Diego to Baltimore, 18 of the 156 seats are empty. What is the ratio of filled seats to empty seats on the flight?

Question

A.
6:1
B.
23:26
C.
23:3
D.
26:3

Answer 1

To find the ratio of filled seats to empty seats on the flight, we first need to determine the number of filled seats.

The total number of seats is 156, and the number of empty seats is 18.

To find the filled seats: \[ \text{Filled Seats} = \text{Total Seats} - \text{Empty Seats} = 156 - 18 = 138 \]

Now, we can establish the ratio of filled seats to empty seats: \[ \text{Filled Seats} : \text{Empty Seats} = 138 : 18 \]

Next, we simplify this ratio. We can divide both sides of the ratio by 18: \[ \frac{138}{18} = \frac{138 \div 18}{18 \div 18} = \frac{7.6667}{1} \text{ (This is not a simple integer ratio)} \]

Instead, let's simplify using common factors. The numbers 138 and 18 can both be divided by 6: \[ 138 \div 6 = 23 \quad \text{and} \quad 18 \div 6 = 3 \] Thus, the simplified ratio is: \[ 23 : 3 \]

The correct answer is therefore: C. 23:3