mixture problem

Question

A store mixes Kentucky blue grass worth $12 per pound and chewings  fescue worth $16 per pound. The mixture is to sell for
$15 per pound. Find how much of each should be used to make a 120-pound mixture.

 

How many pounds of the chewings fescue should be in the mixture?

Answer 1

Hi Jessica, the way to solve mixture problems is to set up a table.

 

Let BG = Blue Grass

Let CF = Chewings Fescue

 

Let x represent the amount of Blue Grass needed. Then the amount of Chewings Fescue needed is 120 - x.

 

Type     Cost       Weight           Total

--------------------------------------------------- 

BG         12             x             12 * x

 

CF          16       120 - x         16 * (120 - x)

 

Mix         15         120            15 * 120

 

Setup an equation and solve:

 

BG + CF = Mix

 

12 * x + 16 * (120 - x) = 15 * 120

 

Solve for x.

 

Questions?