How many 12 ounces cans of Orange juice is required?

[niki.pinter]

interesting solution to the problem. need to write for myself.

[Sage Pearce-Higgins]

Good to hear that. Do you have a question?

[JbhB682]

Just wondering whether i can convert the ratio (in terms of cans) into pounds in the first step itself ?
--------------

1 can of concentrate : 3 cans of water : 4 cans of OJ

i converted this ratio to ounces first (I AM ASSUMING, 1 can has 12 ounces in the above ratio -- is that a fair assumption ?)

- 12 ounces of concentrate : 36 ounces of water : 48 ounces of OJ ( multiplied by 12 because eventually, i will need 12 ounce cans)

- Reduce by 12

-- 1 ounce of concentrate : 3 ounces of water : 4 ounces of OJ

[Sage Pearce-Higgins]

Your way seems unnecessarily complicated. When we're told that "1 can of concentrate is to be mixed with 3 cans of water to make orange juice" it's simply a ratio. The size of the cans here doesn't matter: they could be 12 ounce cans, or 24 ounce cans, or one tonne cans, it's simply the proportion. The problem is simpler if you recognize "hey, the orange juice is one fourth concentrate".

Notice how you make an assumption about the size of the can, then that assumption cancels out as you divide by 12 to get the same ratio as you started from. You're doing a bit of extra work here!