⚖️
Ratio & Proportion · Foundation & Higher

Sharing in a ratio

Sharing a quantity in a given ratio means dividing it into parts proportional to the ratio.

🔑

Key facts to remember

  • 1Find the total number of parts by adding all the ratio numbers.
  • 2Find the value of one part: total amount ÷ total parts.
  • 3Multiply each ratio number by the value of one part.
  • 4Check: the parts should add back up to the original amount.
✍️

Worked examples

Example 1

Share £240 in the ratio 3:5.

Working

  1. Total parts = 3 + 5 = 8
  2. Value of 1 part = £240 ÷ 8 = £30
  3. First share = 3 × £30 = £90
  4. Second share = 5 × £30 = £150
  5. Check: £90 + £150 = £240 ✓
Answer£90 and £150
⚠️

Common mistakes

✗Dividing by the number of ratio parts without adding them first (e.g. dividing 240 by 3 and 5 separately).
✗Not checking the parts add up to the original total.
🎯

Exam tips

✓Always add the ratio parts first to find the total number of parts.
✓Do a check at the end — it takes seconds and catches errors.

Ready to test yourself on Sharing in a ratio?

Get AI-marked practice questions on exactly this subtopic.

Practice this topic →
← All topicsDashboard

▶️ Watch on YouTube

Free video lessons

Click a topic to search

▶GCSE sharing ratio▶divide amount ratio GCSE▶ratio sharing total GCSE maths▶ratio word problems GCSE

Opens YouTube — pick any free GCSE video.