how many grams of a 50% - silver alloy shoould be mixed with a 75% -silver alloy to obtain 40 grams of a 60%- silver alloy? i got the answer in the back of the book, i just need help solving it. thanks!
-
First step -- let's write a "let statement":
let x = the number of grams of the 50% alloy
let y = the number of grams of the 75% alloy
so, 0.50*x +0.75*y = 0.60*40g
BUT, we know that we have forty grams total
x+y = 40, so y= 40-x
putting it back in our original equation,
0.50*x+0.75*(40-x) = 0.60*40 g
now, all you have to do is solve for x, and then plug that value into y=40-x to find the weight of the 75% alloy
let x = the number of grams of the 50% alloy
let y = the number of grams of the 75% alloy
so, 0.50*x +0.75*y = 0.60*40g
BUT, we know that we have forty grams total
x+y = 40, so y= 40-x
putting it back in our original equation,
0.50*x+0.75*(40-x) = 0.60*40 g
now, all you have to do is solve for x, and then plug that value into y=40-x to find the weight of the 75% alloy
-
you are smart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Abuse