Question

Logan wants to mix an 18% acid solution with a 45% acid solution to get 16L of a 36% acid solution. How many liters of the 18% solution and how many liters of the 45% solution should be mixed?

Answer 1

Logan needs 5⅓ liters of 18% acid and 10⅔ liters of 45% acid.

Explanation:

If x is the liters of 18% acid, and y is the liters of 45% acid, then:

x + y = 16

0.18x + 0.45y = 0.36(16)

Solve the system of equations. Using substitution:

0.18x + 0.45(16 − x) = 0.36(16)

0.18x + 7.2 − 0.45x = 5.76

1.44 = 0.27x

x = 5⅓

y = 16 − x

y = 10⅔

Logan needs 5⅓ liters of 18% acid and 10⅔ liters of 45% acid.