What is the first step in dividing a quantity in a given ratio?

To divide a quantity in a given ratio, the first step is to find the total number of parts by adding the parts of the ratio together. This is crucial because the total number of parts allows you to understand how many segments the quantity will be divided into based on the provided ratio.

For example, if a ratio is 2:3, you would add 2 and 3 to get a total of 5 parts. Once you have this total, you can then divide the quantity according to the specified ratio by determining how much each part represents. This foundational step ensures that the division aligns with the ratio's proportions, making it a necessary first action in the process of dividing a quantity.