Question

A group of chemists are conducting an experiment to produce a new liquid material. One chemical contains 15% sodium (Na) and the other chemical contains 30% sodium (Na). Once they mix the two samples the resulting chemical contains 22% sodium (Na). How many milliliters (ml) of each sample must be mixed to obtain 600 ml of the new chemical

Answer 1

A= 320 and B = 280

Explanation:

• Amount of sodium from first material = 0.15*A
• Amount of sodium from second material = 0.3*B

Now, if we combine the two chemicals to get a new chemical, which is 22% sodium, then the total amount of combined sodium is amount of sodium from both sources

<=> 0.15A + 0.3B = 0.22*(A+B)

<=> 0.07A - 0.08B = 0 (1)

- But we have a second equation, because we know that A + B = 600 (2)

Solve the system of two equations, (1) and (2), we have:

A= 320 and B = 280