mixture question

Question

hi...a chemist has a 12% acid solutions and a 24% acid solution how many liters of each should be mixed to get 16 liters of 21%..can you explain the proper equations?

thanks

Answer 1

Hi Karen,

 

        We have 12x+24(1-x)=21 where x is the fraction of each solution needed to produce a 21% solution. Solving for x gives x=.25 so 1-x=.75. To make a 16L 21% solution take .25*16 =4L of the 12% solution and .75*16= 12L of the 24% solution and mix them together. This will make 16 L of a 21% acid solution.

 

Jim