Step 1 :Find the ratio of pike to carp for each lake in the form 1:n: \(\frac{15}{42} = 1: \frac{42}{15} = 1:2.8\) for Lake A, \(\frac{9}{30} = 1: \frac{30}{9} = 1:3.33\) for Lake B, and \(\frac{40}{8} = 1: \frac{8}{40} = 1:0.2\) for Lake C
Step 2 :Calculate the proportion of fish that are carp for each lake: \(\frac{42}{57} = 0.737\) for Lake A, \(\frac{30}{39} = 0.769\) for Lake B, and \(\frac{8}{48} = 0.167\) for Lake C
Step 3 :Sort the lakes in ascending order based on the proportion of fish that are carp: Lake C (0.167), Lake A (0.737), Lake B (0.769)
Step 4 :\boxed{\text{Final Answer: Ratios - Lake A: 1:2.8, Lake B: 1:3.33, Lake C: 1:0.2; Order - Lake C, Lake A, Lake B}}