What is the simplest form of the ratio of 15 dogs to 5 cats?

To simplify the ratio of 15 dogs to 5 cats, you must divide both numbers by their greatest common divisor, which in this case is 5.

When you divide 15 by 5, you get 3, and when you divide 5 by 5, you get 1. Therefore, the simplified form of the ratio is 3:1.

This indicates that for every 3 dogs, there is 1 cat, clearly illustrating the relationship between the two groups. Understanding how to derive and simplify ratios is important in various scenarios in nursing and healthcare, such as understanding patient ratios or resource distribution.