the ratio of men to women on staff at Hamilton is approximately 3:5. If there are 25 men on staff, how many women are there?

The ratio of 3:5 can be written as a fraction, which can be used in a proportion.

3/5 = 25/x   Remeber to keep the order, if men are on top of the first fraction, make sure they are on top                   of the second fraction.

125=3x        Cross multiply.

41.67=x        Divide by 3.

x= 41.67        42 women are on staff.