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Muffins — the apple ones stay put
There were 300 more apple muffins than banana muffins in a bakery. After 150 banana muffins were sold, the ratio of the number of banana muffins to the number of apple muffins was 3 : 8. How many apple muffins were there?
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The pattern behind it: Constant part
The ratio changes, but one person's amount stays the same.
In this one. The apples were never touched, so selling 150 bananas widened the gap between the two bars by exactly 150 — the difference the ratio shows is 300 + 150, not 300.
How to spot it
A ratio changes and the question tells you only one person gained or lost an amount, while the other kept what they had.
Common mistake
Children keep the same number of shares for the person whose amount did not change. The amount stays the same, but the size of a share can differ between the two ratios.
Try one like it
Challenging Ali and Ben's savings — the ratio shifts The ratio of Ali's savings to Ben's savings was 3 : 5. After Ali saved another $24, the ratio became 9 : 10. How much did Ali have…The 33 problem patterns
All 33 patterns, one to a page — the 19 behind Primary 5 and 6 word problems, and the skills the younger years are built on. The bar model, how to spot it in the question, and the mistake children make. A booklet you can print. Free.
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