In the same example, the ratio of columns to beams is?

• A. 4:7
• B. 6:11
• C. 3:5
• D. 2:3

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to compare how many vertical supports (columns) there are to how many horizontal members (beams) there are, using a simple count and then simplify the two numbers to their smallest whole-number form. In the example, there are four columns and seven beams, so the ratio is 4 to 7. Since 4 and 7 have no common divisor other than 1, this ratio is already simplified, 4:7. Other ratios would imply different counts than what the diagram shows, so they don’t match the given setup.