Solving Word Problems

Mixture Problems
 Solving Mixture Problems
1. Draw a diagram.
2. Organize what we know.
3. Set up an equation.
4. Solve the equation.
5. Look back.
Example #1
How many liters of a 60% solution must be added to 30 liters of a 10%
solution in order to produce a 20% solution?

Draw a
diagram. ＋ =
Organize what This jar contains This jar contains This jar contains
we know. 60% solution. 10% solution. 20% solution.
This jar contains This jar contains This jar contains
x liters. 30 liters. x + 30 liters.
Set up an
equation. (60%) (x) ＋ (10%) (30) = (20%) (x + 30)
Solve the (.60) (x) + (.10) (30) = (.20)(x+30) x = 7.5 liters
equation. .60x + 3 = (.20)(x) + (.20)(30)
.60x + 3 = .20x + 6 Check!
.60x - .20x = 6 - 3 .60x + 3 = .20x + 6
.40x = 3 .60 (7.5) + 3 = .20 (7.5)+ 6
.40 .40 7.5 = 7.5
Example #2
How many liters of a 12% solution must be added to a 20% solution in
order to produce 10 liters of a 14% solution?

＋ =
This jar contains This jar contains
12% solution. 20% solution.
This jar contains This jar contains
x liters. 10-x liters.
This jar contains
14% solution.
This jar contains
10 liters.

(12%) (x) ＋ (20%) (10-x) = (14%) 10

(.12) (x) + (.20) (10-x) = (.14)(10)
x = 7.5 liters
.12x + (.20)(10) + (.20)(-x) = 1.4
.12x + 2 - .20x = 1.4 Check!
.12x - .20x = 1.4 - 2 -.08x = -0.6
-.08x = -0.6 -.08 (7.5) = -0.6
-.08 -.08 -0.6 = -0.6