What is the ratio of a gasoline fuel load of 200 gallons to 1,680 pounds in simplest terms?

• A. 5:7
• B. 5:42
• C. 1:4
• D. 2:15

Answer: (B)

This question tests how to simplify a ratio by dividing both terms by their greatest common factor. Take the numbers 200 and 1,680. Their greatest common factor is 40 (since 200 = 5×40 and 1,680 = 42×40). Dividing both by 40 gives 5 and 42, so the simplest form is five to forty-two. The units stay understood as gallons to pounds, so this expresses 200 gallons for every 1,680 pounds in the reduced ratio.