In a certain company, the ratio of male to female employees is 7:8. If 3 more men were hired, this ratio would increase to 8:9. How many male employees are there in the company? Choose one:
A) 6  B) 21  C) 27  D) 189  E) 192
Another approach is to use TWO variables.   Let M = present number of males   Let F = present number of females   The ratio of male to female employees is 7:8   So, M/F = 7/8   Cross multiply to get 7F = 8M   If 3 more men were hired, this ratio would increase to 8:9   So, (M+3)/F = 8/9   Cross multiply to get 9(M+3) = 8F   Expand: 9M + 27 = 8F   We now have a system of two equations and two variables:   7F = 8M   9M + 27 = 8F   Solve to get: M = 189 and F = 216   ANSWER:189
<result>D</result>
In a certain company, the ratio of male to female employees is 7:8. If 3 more men were hired, this ratio would increase to 8:9. How many male employees are there in the company?