In metal alloy composed entirely of zinc and copper,3 of ever 17 pounds is zinc. If the alloy weighs 544 lbs., how many pounds of zinc and how many pounds of copper does it have?

Solution:

W(zinc) = (3/17)*544 = 96 pounds

W(copper) = 544-96 = 448 pounds

So there are 96 pounds of zinc and 448 pounds of copper