Solving Ratios with 2 Parts: Step-by-Step Example
22 October 2026
When your child is preparing for 11+ maths, understanding how to solve problems with ratios is an important skill. Here is a clear example showing how to work out a ratio with two parts, using simple numbers and steps.
Worked example
A bag of sweets is shared in the ratio 2:3. There are 20 sweets in total. How many sweets does each person get?
Step 1: Add the parts of the ratio. 2 + 3 = 5
Step 2: Divide the total by the number of parts. 20 ÷ 5 = 4
Step 3: Multiply by each part to find the shares. 2 × 4 = 8 and 3 × 4 = 12
The correct answer is: one person gets 8 sweets, the other gets 12 sweets.
After working through this example, your child will recognise how to break down a ratio problem and find each share. The next step is to practise similar questions, so they can get confident before the 11+ exam. This approach is part of the maths.com uk preparation.
