If p : q = r : s, which of the following ratios is necessarily equal to p : r?
p : s
q : s
p + s : q + s
p + q : r + s
Correct answer: p + q : r + s
Solution
Let p/q = r/s = k. Then p = kq and r = ks. So p/r = kq/(ks) = q/s. Now check (p+q)/(r+s) = (kq+q)/(ks+s) = q(k+1)/[s(k+1)] = q/s = p/r. Hence p:r = (p+q):(r+s).