Deepthi Subbu wrote:Two vessels contain mixtures of spirit and water. In the first vessel the ratio of spirit to water is 8
: 3 and in the second vessel the ratio is 5 : 1. A 35-litre cask is filled from these vessels so as
to contain a mixture of spirit and water in the ratio of 4 : 1. How many litres are taken from the
first vessel ?
Deepthi Subbu wrote:Solution A contains 18 ounces of alcohol and 32 ounces of water. Solution B contains 72 ounces of water and 8 ounces of alcohol. What percent of Solution B must be added to
Solution A so that the resulting mixture contains 5/7 water?
Let F = the first vessel, S = the second vessel, and M = the mixture.
The following approach is called ALLIGATION -- a very good way to handle MIXTURE PROBLEMS.
Alligation can be performed only with fractions or percentages.
Thus, the ratios here must be converted.
Step 1: Convert the ratios to FRACTIONS.
F:
Since spirt:water = 8:3, and 8+3=11, water/total = 3/11.
S:
Since spirt:water = 5:1, and 5+1=6, water/total = 1/6.
M:
Since spirit:water = 4:1, and 4+1=5, water/total = 1/5.
Step 2: Put the fractions over a COMMON DENOMINATOR.
F = 3/11 = 90/330.
S = 1/6 = 55/330.
M = 1/5 = 66/330.
Step 3: Plot the 3 numerators on a number line, with the numerators of F and S (90 and 55) on the ends and M's numerator (66) in the middle.
F 90-----------------66------------------55 S
Step 4: Calculate the distances between the numerators.
F 90-------
24--------66--------
11-------55 S
Step 5: Determine the ratio in the mixture.
The ratio of F to S in the mixture is the RECIPROCAL of the distances in red.
F:S = 11:24.
Since F:S = 11:24, and the actual total volume = 35 liters, the actual volume of F = 11 liters, and the actual volume of S = 24 liters, so that F+S = 11+24 = 35 liters.
For two other problems that I solved with alligation, check here:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/ratios-fract ... tml#484583
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