The ratio of red marbles to blue marbles in a jar is 3:5
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05 Sep 2026, 10:12
Step-by-Step Explanation
1. Algebraic Approach
Let the initial number of red marbles be 3 x and blue marbles be 5 x , where x is a positive integer.
Let k be the positive integer representing the number of marbles added to each color.
Quantity A: The new ratio of red to blue marbles:
\(\text { New Ratio }=\frac{3 x+k}{5 x+k}\)
Quantity B: The original ratio:
\(\text { Original Ratio }=\frac{3}{5}\)
To compare Quantity \(\mathrm{A}\left(\frac{3 x+k}{5 x+k}\right)\) and Quantity \(\mathrm{B}\left(\frac{3}{5}\right)\) , cross-multiply:
\( Quantity A } \stackrel{?}{\longleftrightarrow} \text { Quantity B }\)
\(5(3 x+k) \stackrel{?}{\longleftrightarrow} 3(5 x+k)\)
\(15 x+5 k \stackrel{?}{\longleftrightarrow} 15 x+3 k\)
Step-by-Step Explanation
1. Algebraic Approach
Let the initial number of red marbles be $3 x$ and blue marbles be 5 x , where x is a positive integer.
Let k be the positive integer representing the number of marbles added to each color.
Quantity A: The new ratio of red to blue marbles:
\(\text { New Ratio }=\frac{3 x+k}{5 x+k}\)
Quantity B: The original ratio:
\(\text { Original Ratio }=\frac{3}{5}\)
To compare Quantity \(\mathrm{A}\left(\frac{3 x+k}{5 x+k}\right) \) and Quantity \(\mathrm{B}\left(\frac{3}{5}\right) \), cross-multiply:
\(Quantity A } \stackrel{?}{\longleftrightarrow} \text { Quantity B } \)
\(5(3 x+k) \stackrel{?}{\longleftrightarrow} 3(5 x+k) \)
\(15 x+5 k \stackrel{?}{\longleftrightarrow} 15 x+3 k\)
Subtract $15 x$ from both sides:
$$
5 k \stackrel{?}{\longleftrightarrow} 3 k
$$
Since k>0 (marbles were added), 5 k>3 k . Therefore, Quantity A is strictly greater than Quantity B.
2. Numerical Example (Testing Numbers)
Initial State: Suppose there are 3 red and 5 blue marbles (Ratio \( =\frac{3}{5}=0.60\) ).
Add Marbles: Add 1 red and 1 blue marble ( k=1 ).
New red marbles =3+1=4
New blue marbles =5+1=6
New Ratio (Quantity A): \(\frac{4}{6}=\frac{2}{3} \approx 0.67 \)
Quantity B: \(\frac{3}{5}=0.60\)
Since 0.67 > 0.60, Quantity A > Quantity B.