Answer : A::B::C
Solution : The total amount, in liters, of a saline solution can be expressed as the liters of each type of saline solution multiplied by the percent of the saline solution. This gives 3(0.10), x(0.25), and (x + 3)(0.15), where x is the amount, in liters, of a 25% saline solution and 10%, 15%, and 25% are represented as 0.10, 0.15, and 0.25, respectively. Thus, the equation 3(0.10) + 0.25x = 0.15(x + 3) must be true. Multiplying 3 by 0.10 and distributing 0.15 to (x + 3) yields 0.30 + 0.25x = 0.15x + 0.45. Subtracting 0.15x and 0.30 from each side of the equation gives 0.10x = 0.15. Dividing each side of the equation by 0.10 yields x = 1.5, or `x=3/2`.
$\begingroup$
How many liters of a $25\%$ percent saline solution must be added to $3$ liters of a $10\%$ percent saline solution to obtain a $15\%$ percent saline solution?
Answer:
1.5
But I don't know how to solve it. Help me, please.
asked Aug 27, 2019 at 6:25
$\endgroup$
1
$\begingroup$
Let $x$ represent the number of liters of $25\%$ saline solution that is added to the three liters of $10\%$ saline solution. Then the total volume of the $15\%$ saline solution will be $3 + x$.
The volume of saline in the $3$ liters of $10\%$ saline solution is $(0.1)(3~\text{L})$.
The volume of saline in the $x$ liters of $25\%$ saline solution is $(0.25)(x~\text{L})$.
The volume of saline in the $3 + x$ liters of $15\%$ saline solution that is obtained is $(0.15)[(3 + x)~\text{L}]$.
Since combining the $10\%$ saline solution with the $25\%$ saline solution yields the $15\%$ saline solution, the volume of saline in the $15\%$ solution must be the sum of the volumes of the saline in the $10\%$ solution and the $25\%$ solution, which yields the equation $$(0.1)(3~\text{L}) + (0.25)(x~\text{L}) = (0.15)[(3 + x)~\text{L}]$$ Can you take it from here?
answered Aug 27, 2019 at 8:14
N. F. TaussigN. F. Taussig
67.8k13 gold badges52 silver badges70 bronze badges
$\endgroup$
$\begingroup$
Let $l$ the liters that you need.
Then, $\underbrace{\frac{1}{4} \cdot l}_\text{l liters of a 25%} + \underbrace{\frac{1}{10}\cdot 3}_\text{3 liters of a 10%} = \underbrace{\frac{15}{100} \cdot (l+3)}_\text{(l+3) liters of a 15%}$
Can you take it from here?
answered Aug 27, 2019 at 20:34
$\endgroup$
$\begingroup$
We want to find how much $q$ (in $\ell$) of solution $A$ with $25\%$ salt we must add with $3\ell$ of solution $B$ with $10\%$ salt to give a solution $A+B$ (this has nothing to do with the usual addition; it's just notation!) that has $15\%$ salt.
The invariant here is the saline content.
Thus, per litre, $A$ has $0.25q$ of salt, $B$ has $0.1×3$ of salt, and $A+B$ has $0.15(q+3)$ salt. Since the saline content is conserved, we must have that $$0.25q+0.3=0.15(q+3)$$ is true. This gives us $(0.25-0.15)q=0.45-0.3=0.15,$ or $$q=\frac{0.15}{0.10}=1.5.$$
answered Aug 27, 2019 at 22:28
AllawonderAllawonder
12.9k1 gold badge15 silver badges26 bronze badges
$\endgroup$
$\begingroup$
If 1 liter of 25% is added to 1 liter of 10% you get 2 liters of 17.5%...extra 2.5%/liter is enough to convert 2nd 10% liter to 15%. One 25% was enough to convert 2 liters, you only need .5 to convert the third liter. Total of 1.5 liters.
It’s the same as “how many tests do you have to score 25% in to bring up your average to 15% if you’ve already taken 3 tests at 10%”
Averages
answered Mar 8, 2021 at 2:07
$\endgroup$