Two points lie on the number line. Point A is on 19 and Point B is on 51. The distance of the two points is 3:5 in ratio. What is the length of the largest segment?

Question

Two points lie on the number line. Point A is on 19 and Point B is on  51. The distance of the two points is 3:5 in ratio. What is the length of the largest segment?

henry2, · Accepted Answer

Length = 51-19 = 32. 3x + 5x = 32. X = 4. 5x = 20. = Larger segment.

Anonymous · Answer

Could you please explain the method it would be great

Ms. Sue · Answer

Which part in that equation don't you understand?

Anonymous · Answer

I don't understand how the distance between the two points could be in a ratio

Anonymous · Answer

What ratios are being compared?

Ms. Sue · Answer

It is a 3 to 5 ratio. It's a ratio that divides evenly between two numbers. Examples 3 to 5 6 to 10 9 to 15 12 to 20

Ms. Sue · Answer

Another explanation: https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/ratio.html

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you. So 32 is divided by 8 parts that is 3 and 5

Anonymous · Answer

Oh thank you

Ms. Sue · Answer

You're welcome.

Anonymous · Answer

Sorry just one more doubt. So there are 8 intervals in between of the two points of the number line. The 5 is not meaning the entire number line is it? Point a contributes to 3 parts of the distance and point b contributes to 5 parts of the distance?