math 099 interm alg

Question

Pola​ Sommers, a massage​ therapist, needs 4 ounces of a 46​% lavender oil solution. She has only 5​% and 60​%

lavender oil solutions available. How many ounces of each should Pola mix to obtain the desired​ solution?

Answer 1

Hi Izzy, Let x represent the amount of 5% solution. Set up a table like the following:

Product Amount Decimal Total

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

5% x .05 .05x

60% 4 - x .60 .60(4 - x)

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

46% 4 .46 .46(4)

The sum of the 5% solution + the 60% solution must equal the 46% solution

.05x + .60(4 - x) = .46(4)

.05x + 2.4 - .60x = 1.84

-.55x = .56

x = 1.018

The amount of 5% solution is: 1.108 ounces

The amount of 60% solution is: 4 - 1.108, or 2.982 ounces

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