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 the correct option:  A) 6  B) 21  C) 27  D) 189  E) 192

Rationale: 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 7 f = 8 m 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 ) = 8 f expand : 9 m + 27 = 8 f we now have a system of two equations and two variables : 7 f = 8 m 9 m + 27 = 8 f solve to get : m = 189 and f = 216 answer : d
Answer: D