Question

A scientist has two solutions, which she has labeled Solution A and Solution B. Each contains salt. She knows that Solution A is 40 % salt and Solution B is 90 % salt. She wants to obtain 50 ounces of a mixture that is 80 % salt. How many ounces of each solution should she use?

Answer 1

The scientist must use 10 ounces of Solution A and 40 ounces of Solution B.

Explanation:

Since a scientist has two solutions, which she has labeled Solution A and Solution B, each containing salt, and she knows that Solution A is 40% salt and Solution B is 90% salt, and she wants to obtain 50 ounces of a mixture that is 80% salt, to determine how many ounces of each solution should she use the following calculation must be performed:

100 x 0.9 + 0 x 0.4 = 90

90 x 0.9 + 10 x 0.4 = 85

80 x 0.9 + 20 x 0.4 = 80

50 x 0.8 = 40

Therefore, the scientist must use 10 ounces of Solution A and 40 ounces of Solution B.