ratios

 

In a pet shop, there are 3 hamsters for every 2 guinea pigs, and there are 2 giant cloud rats for every 8 guinea pigs. If N is the total number of hamsters, guinea pigs, and giant cloud rats, and N > 0, then what is the smallest possible value of N?     

 

2 giant cloud rats for every 8 guinea pigs       

this is a proportion so it can be reduced to     

1 giant cloud rat  for every 4 guinea pigs     

 

1 rat per 4 pigs                                        1 rat     

                                                                4 pigs     

3 hamsters per 2 pigs     

6 hamsters per 4 pigs                             6 hamsters     

 

add them up                         least N  =  11 animals     

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