Problema Solution

An alloy containing 15% brass is to be combined with an alloy containing 35% brass to form an alloy containing 27% brass. how much of each alloy should be combined to make 200 pounds of the 27% brass alloy?

Answer provided by our tutors

Let x pounds of alloy containing 15% brass is to be mixed with alloy containing 200-x pounds of brass to form 200 pounds of alloy containg 27% brass

Qty.of brass in x lb of15% brass

=0.15 lb

Qty of brass in(200-x)lb of 35% brass

=0.35(200-x)lb

And,qty. of brass in 200lb of 27% brass

=0.27*200 lb

Therefore, by the problem,

0.15x+0.35(200-x)=0.27*200

or,0.15x+70-0.35x=54

or,o,15x-0.35x=54-70

or,0.20x=16

or,x=16/0.20=80

Therefore 80 lb of 15% brass is to be mixed with 200-80 or 120 lb of 35% brass