Question

What quantity must be subtracted from each term of the ratio 9: 17 to make it equal to 1: 3?

Answer 1

Let x be subtracted from each term of the ratio 9: 17.

`(9 - x)/(17 - x) = 1/3`

27 - 3x = 17 - x

10 = 2x 

x = 5

Thus, the required number which should be subtracted is 5.