If a solution uses 3 parts sugar to 5 parts water, what fraction of the mixture is sugar?

If a solution uses 3 parts sugar to 5 parts water, what fraction of the mixture is sugar?

• A. 5/8
• B. 1/2
• C. 3/5
• D. 3/8

Answer: (D)

This question tests how to find what portion of a mixture comes from one component by using parts. There are 3 parts sugar and 5 parts water, for a total of 8 parts. The sugar portion is 3 of those 8 parts, so the fraction of the mixture that is sugar is 3/8. In decimals, that’s 0.375 (about 37.5%). If you tried a fraction like 5/8, that would imply more sugar than you have; 1/2 would mean equal parts of sugar and rest, which isn’t the case here; and 3/5 would imply only 5 total parts, not 8.

This question tests how to find what portion of a mixture comes from one component by using parts. There are 3 parts sugar and 5 parts water, for a total of 8 parts. The sugar portion is 3 of those 8 parts, so the fraction of the mixture that is sugar is 3/8. In decimals, that’s 0.375 (about 37.5%). If you tried a fraction like 5/8, that would imply more sugar than you have; 1/2 would mean equal parts of sugar and rest, which isn’t the case here; and 3/5 would imply only 5 total parts, not 8.