A scientist mixes water (containing no salt) with a solution that contains 60% salt.

Question

 A scientist mixes water (containing no salt) with a solution that contains 60% salt. She wants to obtain 250 ounces of a mixture that has 15% salt. How many ounces of water (containing no salt) and how many ounces of the 60% salt solution should she use?

Answer 1

Hi :)

Say w= the amount of water in oz, then the 60% of the solution is 250 - w

Set up the equation:

Use distributive property first

0.60(250-w) = 0.15 x 250

Isolate to solve for w

150- 0.60w= 37.5

-0.60w= 37.5-150

0.60w= -112.5

w= 187.5 ounces

250-187.5= 62.5 ounces salt solution



Therefore, she must use 187.5 ounces of water and 62.5 ounces of salt solution for her experiment.

Hope this helps!