Given three quantities X, Y, and Z of the same type where the ratio of X to Y is 5 to 8, and the ratio of Y to Z is 4 to 7, what is the ratio of X to Z?

Explanation

To find the ratio X:Z, first express both ratios with a common term for Y. Since X:Y = 5:8 and Y:Z = 4:7, we adjust the ratios to have the same Y value by finding the least common multiple of 8 and 4, which is 8. Scaling Y:Z by 2 gives 8:14. Now, X:Y = 5:8 and Y:Z = 8:14, so X:Z = 5:14.