math word problem

Question

A certain drug is made from only two ingredients: compound A and compound B. There are
2
milliliters of compound A used for every
3
milliliters of compound B. If a chemist uses
170
milliliters of compound A, how many milliliters of the drug will be made?

Answer 1

We need to determine how many mL of compound B are used when 170 mL of compound A are used.

 

Let x = the number of mL of compound B used when 170 mL of compound A are used.

 

2/3 = 170/x

 

2x = 510

 

x = 255

 

This means that 255 mL of compound B are used when 170 mL of compound A are used. Hence, 255 + 170 = 425 mL of this drug will be made.