BLACK INK TUTORIALS

326-4SUN
SEA Worded Problems
Topic: Multiplicative Comparison
Multiplicative comparison will always contain the expression “times as much” or “times the number” or
just “times”
It means that for every unit of what someone has the other person has a certain amount “times” {meaning
multiplied by} that unit.
So, if you have 4 times as many apples as I do, for every 1 apple I have, you have 4 multiplied by my 1
which means you have 4.
Therefore, if there were a total of 300 apples, every time we remove a group of apples, it would be in
groups of 5 where 4 belong to you and 1 belongs to me.
In other words, we create a fractional representation of the 300 apples where 5 becomes the denominator
4 1
and your share is leaving me with the other of the 300.
5 5
4 1
Remember the whole in fractions is always represented by 1 so 5 + 5 = 1 ≡ 300 apples.

In some unequal share questions, they will first remove a portion of the item before giving you the times
comparison. This removed amount must not be forgotten in finding the final number of the item asked
for.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS:
1. At a party 120 tickets were sold. The number of girl tickets sold was three times the number of
boy tickets sold. How many girl tickets were sold?

2. Rachel had 5 times as much money as her sister, Nora. Together, they had a total of $90. How
much money did each of them have?

3. At a concert 450 tickets were sold. For every two male tickets that were sold, twice as many
female tickets were sold. How many female tickets were sold?

4. Dad is 4 times as old as his daughter Sally. Together they have 65 years. How old is Sally’s dad?

5. There are 399 children at a water park. By midday 39 GIRLS left. The number of boys is now
twice the number of girls. How many girls were there at the beginning of the day?

6. 145 persons visited a park to either walk or jog. By 6 pm, 25 walkers left. The number of joggers
was now twice as many as the number of walkers. Calculate the number of walkers who visited
the park that evening.

7. There are 499 students at a graduation. 49 girls left by midnight. The number of girls was now
twice the number of boys. How many girls were there before midnight?

8. 365 vehicles are parked in a mall carpark. By 1 pm 49 Toyotas left. The number of Mazda cars
was now three times as many the number of Toyota cars. Calculate the number of Toyota cars
that were parked there before 1 pm?