Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics (5733)Number and QuantityMedium

A nutritionist is preparing a special dietary supplement. The recipe requires 2 parts protein powder, 3 parts fiber supplement, and 5 parts vitamin mix. If the total weight of the supplement needs to be 300 grams, how many grams of vitamin mix are required?

  1. A150 grams
  2. B90 grams
  3. C120 grams
  4. D60 grams
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A. 150 grams

The total number of parts is 2 + 3 + 5 = 10 parts. The vitamin mix accounts for 5 out of these 10 parts, or 5/10 = 1/2 of the total. So, 1/2 * 300 grams = 150 grams of vitamin mix are required.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. This would be 3/10 of the total, which is the fiber supplement amount.
  • C. This results from an incorrect calculation of the total parts or the fraction for vitamin mix.
  • D. This would be 2/10 of the total, which is the protein powder amount.

Ratio with Total Quantity

When a total quantity is divided according to a given ratio, first sum the ratio parts to find the total parts. Then, express each component as a fraction of the total parts and multiply by the total quantity.

  • Sum all parts of the ratio
  • Form a fraction for each component (part/total parts)
  • Multiply the fraction by the total quantity

Memory trick: Ratios are shares, Proportions are equal shares.

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