Question

Ms Sophie has 24 lbs of 20% sugar syrup. How much pure water should she add to make 16% sugar syrup?

Answer 1

6 lbs of water.

Explanation:

Ms. Sophie has 24 lbs of syrup which contains 20% i.e. 4.8 lbs of sugar

If she wants to make it 16% she has to dilute it with water

Let water added be x.

Then total syrup weight = 24+x (since increases by x)

Sugar content = same as before = 4.8

Percent of sugar =
`(4.8)/(24+x) =0.16`

(since given as 16%)

Simplify by multiplying by dividing by 0.16

30 =24+x

x=6 lbs

Hence 6 lbs of water to be added to make 16% sugar syrup.