A scientist has two solutions, which she has labeled Solution A and Solution B. Each contains salt. She knows that Solution A is 20% salt and Solution B is 70% salt. She wants to obtain 110 ounces of a mixture that is 30% salt. How many ounces of each solution should she use?

Respuesta :

ANSWER:  

88 ounces of 20% salt solution A must be mixed with 22 ounces of 70% salt solution B to obtain 110 ounces of 30% solution.

SOLUTION:  

First, set up a table.  fill in the unknowns with variables x and y.  The table is attached below.

From the table, we can easily set up the two equations.  

Sum of values of two salts = Value of mixture  

0.2x+0.7y=33  

For convenience, we'll multiply the entire equation by 10,

2 x + 7 y = 330       ------ eqn (1)  

Now, Sum of amounts of each salt = Amount of mixture  

x + y = 110         --------- eqn (2)

multiply eqn (2) with “2” for easy calculation and derive the equation into one variable.

2x + 2y = 220  --- eqn 3

Subtracting equation (3) from (1), we get  

0 + 5y = 110  

Thus, 5y = 110  

[tex]y = \frac{110}{5} = 22[/tex]

Substituting y = 22 in (2),

2x + 2(22) = 220  

2x + 44 = 220  

2 x = 220 - 44 = 176  

[tex]x = \frac{176}{2} = 88[/tex]

So, we have x = 88 and y = 22

We can conclude that 88 ounces of 20% salt solution A must be mixed with 22 ounces of 70% salt solution B to obtain 110 ounces of 30% solution.

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