Question

How much of a spice that is 3% salt should be added to 175 ounces of a spice that is 6% salt in order to make a spice that is 5% salt?

PLS HELP ME

Answer 1

Let x represents the ounces of first spice.

From the given statements, you draw a table as shown below:

ounces of spice Percentage ounces of salt

First spice x 3% 0.03x

Second spice 175 6% 175(0.06)

Final mixture x+ 175 5% (x+175)(0.05)

Now, to solve for x;

Final spice = First spice + second spice

`0.03x+175(0.06) = (x+175)(0.05)`

`0.03x + 10.5 = 0.05x + 8.75`

Subtract 10.5 on both sides we have;

`0.03x + 10.5 -10.5= 0.05x + 8.75-10.5`

Simplify:

`0.03x= 0.05x -1.75`

Subtract 0.05x on both sides;

`0.03x - 0.05x= 0.05x -1.75-0.05x`

Simplify:

`-0.02x= -1.75`

Divide both sides by -0.02, we get;

x = 87.5 ounces

Therefore, 87.5 ounces of spices i.e 3% salt should be added to 175 ounces of a spice that is 6% salt in order to make a spice that is 5% salt