the ratio of the weight of sodium to that of chlorine in common table salt is 5 to 3. Find the amount of each element I a salt compound weighing 200 pounds

Question

set up an equation and solve each problem

Answer 1

Amount of sodium = 5x

Amount of chlorine = 3x

 

5x+3x=200

 

     8x = 200

 

       x = 25

 

Amount of sodium = 5x = 125 pounds

Amount of chlorine = 3x = 75 pounds

 

Answer 2

the ratio Sodium:chlorine = 5:3

 

This means every 8 pounds of sodium chloride consists of 5 pounds sodium and 3 pounds chlorine

 

200 pounds of sodium chloride has 5/8 * 200 pounds of sodium and 3/8 * 200 pounds of chlorine

 

 

= 125 pounds of sodium

 

and 75 pounds of chlorine