The ratio of population of village T below poverty line to that of village Z below poverty line in 1997 is

Let us assume the total population of all villages combined is M.

Thus, the population of village T will be 21% of M = 0.21M

Then, we know that 46% of the population of village T is below the poverty line.

That will be = 46% of 0.21M = 0.46*0.21 M

Similarly, the population of the village Z will be 11% of M = 0.11M

Then, we know that 42% of the population of village Z is below the poverty line.

That will be = 42% of 0.11M = 0.42*0.11 M

The ratio of the population of village T below the poverty line to that of village Z below the poverty line in 1997 = (0.46*0.21*M)/ (0.42*0.11M) = 46/22

=> 23:11