3 girls share a number of apples in the ratio 5:3:2. if the highest share is 40 apples, find the smallest share

40/5 = 8

2 * 8 = ?

To find the smallest share, we need to determine the ratio factor that corresponds to the highest share of 40 apples. Since the ratio of the girls' shares is 5:3:2, we can find the factor by dividing the highest share by the corresponding ratio in the ratio:

Highest share: Ratio factor = 40 apples:5 = 8 apples

Now that we have the ratio factor, we can find the smallest share by multiplying the ratio factor by the corresponding ratio:

Smallest share: 2 x 8 apples = 16 apples

Therefore, the smallest share is 16 apples.