Question

The ratio of the weight of the Guinea pig to the weight of the Goliath beetle is 8 to 1. Together, they weigh 27 ounces. How much does the Goliath beetle weigh?

Answer 1

Given:

The ratio of the weight of the Guinea pig to the weight of the Goliath beetle is,

$8\colon1$

Together they weigh 27 ounces.

$\begin{gathered} 8x+x=27 \\ 9x=27 \\ \text{Divide by 9 on both sides} \\ \frac{9x}{9}=\frac{27}{9} \\ x=3 \\ \Rightarrow8x=8\times3=24 \end{gathered}$

Therefore, Guinea pigs weigh 24 ounces and Goliath beetle weigh 3 ounces.