Chapter 4: Problem 44
A \(10 \%\) acid solution is to be mixed with a \(50 \%\) acid solution in order to get 120 ounces of a \(20 \%\) acid solution. How many ounces of the \(10 \%\) solution and \(50 \%\) solution should be mixed?
Short Answer
Expert verified
Mix 90 ounces of the 10% solution with 30 ounces of the 50% solution.
Step by step solution
01
Define the Variables
Let \( x \) be the number of ounces of the \(10\%\) solution, and \( y \) be the number of ounces of the \(50\%\) solution. We are tasked to find the values of \( x \) and \( y \).
02
Set Up the System of Equations
We know that the total solution should be 120 ounces, which gives us the first equation: \( x + y = 120 \). Additionally, the concentration equation for the acid content is \( 0.10x + 0.50y = 0.20 \times 120 \) since the resulting solution should have a \(20\%\) concentration.
03
Simplify the Second Equation
Calculate \(0.20 \times 120\), which equals 24. Thus, the second equation becomes \( 0.10x + 0.50y = 24 \).
04
Solve the System of Equations
Start by solving the first equation for one of the variables. Let \( y = 120 - x \), then substitute this into the second equation: \( 0.10x + 0.50(120 - x) = 24 \).
05
Substitute and Simplify
Expand the substituted equation to \(0.10x + 60 - 0.50x = 24\). Further simplify to \( -0.40x + 60 = 24 \).
06
Isolate \( x \)
Subtract 60 from both sides: \(-0.40x = -36\). Then divide both sides by \(-0.40\) to find \( x = 90 \).
07
Find \( y \)
Use the equation \( y = 120 - x \), substituting \( x = 90 \) to find \( y = 30 \).
08
Verify the Solution
Check that \( 0.10 \times 90 + 0.50 \times 30 = 24 \). Calculate \(9 + 15 = 24\), which verifies the solution is correct.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
System of Equations
In algebra, a system of equations is a collection of two or more equations with a set of variables. To find the values of these variables, the equations are solved simultaneously, meaning each equation is considered at the same time. By doing so, you can find a common solution that satisfies all equations in the system.
- Basic Concept: A system of equations looks like this:
- The first equation could be: \( ax + by = c \)
- The second equation could be: \( dx + ey = f \)
- Goal: Find the values of \(x\) and \(y\) that make both equations true at the same time.
- Methods: The two most common methods to solve these systems are:
- Substitution: Solve one equation for one variable and substitute this expression into the other equation.
- Elimination: Add or subtract equations to eliminate one variable, making it possible to solve for the other.
Mixture Problems
Mixture problems are a type of word problem commonly found in algebra. They involve mixing two or more substances to achieve a desired composition or concentration. The trick is to understand and use the concept of balancing the quantities and properties involved, like concentration in our problem.
- Identifying Parts: Recognize what you're mixing. For example, in the acid solution problem, you have a \(10\%\) solution and a \(50\%\) solution being mixed.
- Total Quantity: Decide the total amount for the final mixture. Here, it is 120 ounces of a \(20\%\) solution.
- Form Equations: Mixture problems typically involve forming two types of equations:
- Total quantity equation, like \(x + y = 120\).
- Concentration equation, like \(0.10x + 0.50y = 0.20 \times 120\).
- Solving the Problem: Use algebraic methods to solve the system, determining the amount of each substance needed.
Percentage Concentration
Percentage concentration is a way of expressing how much of one component is present in a solution. It is often used in chemistry and involves calculations based on the ratio of the solute (substance being dissolved) to the total solution.
- Basic Formula:
- The concentration of a solution is calculated as \( \left( \frac{\text{Amount of Solute}}{\text{Total Solution}} \right) \times 100\% \).
- Understanding Percentage: For example, a \(10\%\) acid solution means that 10% of the total weight or volume is acid.
- Application in Problems: In mixture problems, knowing the percentage helps set up equations. It helps you determine how much of each component is needed.
- For a \(20\%\) final solution, you need a balance such that the mixture of \(10\%\) and \(50\%\) solutions achieves this specific concentration.