Question

Eduardo wants to make 17.1 fl. oz. of a 60% sugar solution by mixing together a 80% sugar solution and a 50% sugar solution. How much of each solution must he use?

Answer 1

`5.7 fl. oz. of 80% sugar solution`
`11.4fl. oz. of 50% sugar solution`

Explanation:

This can be solved through algebraic calculation:

1. Let `x` the volume of `80% sugar solution`

2. Let `17.1-x` the volume of `50% sugar solution`

3. The desired mixture is `60% of 17.1 fl.oz sugar solution`

4. Write down the algebraic equation as:
   `0.80(x) + 0.50(17.1-x)(0.50) = 0.60(17.1)`

5. Do the algebraic calculation to find the value of `x`

6. `x=5.7` for `80% sugar solution`

7. Therefore, to find the other volume; subtract `x=5.7` from `17.1-x`; to get `11.4 fl. oz. 50% sugar solution`.