Mixture problem

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Mixture problem

by Nycgrl » Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:32 pm
. A certain shade of gray paint is obtained by mixing 3 parts of white paint with 5 parts of black paint. If 2 gallons of the mixture is needed and the individual colors can be purchased only in one-gallon or half- gallon cans, what is the least amount of paint, in gallons, that must be purchased in order to measure out the portions needed for the mixture?
(A) 2
(B) 2.5
(C) 3
(D) 3.5
(E) 4
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by Wakka Wakka » Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:51 pm
Ans B: 2.5

split the mixture into quarters, 5 parts black = 1.25 gallons and 3 parts white = .75 gallons.

Since they only come in 1 and 0.5 gallons you need 1 and 0.5 gallons black to get you 1.25 gallons and you need 1 gallon white to get your .75 gallons. Hence you need 2.5 gallons

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by parallel_chase » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:27 pm
White : Black, 3:5

2 gallons of mixture is required

2*(3/8) white = .75

2*(5/8) black = 1.25

we can only purchase 1 gallon or .5 gallon can.

.75 white = 1 can white
1.25 black = 1.5 can black

Total =2.5 gallons

Hence B.

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by kris610 » Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:13 am
If you have 3x gallons of white, you have 5x gallons of gray. So, 8x=2, x=1/4.

So, you have 3/4 gallons of white and 5/4 of gray. round them up to 1 and 1.5, you get 2.5.