Step by step
The question
Question: share $120 between Ann, Ben and Cara in the ratio 2 to 3 to 5.
The ratio says how many equal parts each one gets: 2 for Ann, 3 for Ben and 5 for Cara.
Careful!
2 to 3 to 5 does not mean dividing $120 by 2 and by 3 and by 5.
It counts parts of the same size.
1 Count the parts
All together there are 2 plus 3 plus 5: 10 equal parts.
2 Draw the bar
3 Find one part
10 parts make $120.
So one part is 120 divided by 10: $12.
Every part is $12.
4 Find each share
Ann has 2 parts: 2 times 12 is $24.
Ben has 3 parts: 3 times 12 is $36.
Cara has 5 parts: 5 times 12 is $60.
So the shares are Ann $24, Ben $36 and Cara $60.
5 Check
Let's check.
The shares add up: 24 plus 36 plus 60 is $120.
And divided by 12, they give 2 to 3 to 5 again.
So the answer is right!
Let's look back.
First: count the parts.
Then: draw the bar.
Then: find one part.
Then: find each share.
Last: check.