SOLUTION: how many pounds of sugar that costs 1.79 per pound and how many pounds of corn flakes that costs 2.49 per pound must be used tyo create 25 pounds of sugar coated breakfast cereal t

Question 1171200: how many pounds of sugar that costs 1.79 per pound and how many pounds of corn flakes that costs 2.49 per pound must be used tyo create 25 pounds of sugar coated breakfast cereal that sells for 2.21 per pound

Found 3 solutions by josgarithmetic, Boreal, greenestamps:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
f pounds of cornflakes
25-f pounds of sugar

.
.
Answer by Boreal(15235)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x=sugar amount in pounds
25-x=corn flakes in pounds
1.79x+2.49(25-x)=25*2.21=55.25
1.79x+62.25-2.49x=55.25
-0.70x=-7.00
x=10 pounds of sugar ($17.90)
25-x=15 pounds of corn flakes ($37.35)

Answer by greenestamps(13200)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

You have two responses that both show basically the same standard algebraic method for solving "mixture" problems like this.

If a formal algebraic solution is not required, here is a different method that will almost always get you to the answer faster and with less effort.

(1) Look at the three per-pound prices on a number line: 1.79, 2.21, and 2.49.
(2) Determine by simple calculations that 2.21 is 42/70 = 3/5 of the way from 1.79 to 2.49.
(3) That means 3/5 of the mixture is the higher-priced ingredient.

ANSWER: 3/5 of the total 25 pounds, or 15 pounds, of corn flakes; the other 10 pounds is the sugar.

CHECK:
15(2.49)+10(1.79) = 37.35+17.90 = 55.25
25(2.21) = 55.25

RELATED QUESTIONS
How many pounds of lima beans that cost $0.90 per pound must be mixed with 16 pounds of... (answered by nerdybill)
We have a whole bunch of these questions and I can't figure out how to set it up to solve (answered by stanbon)
Please help me!!! how many pounds of hamburger that costs $1.10 per pound must be mixed... (answered by Paul)
How many pounds of hamburger that costs $1.10 per pound must be mixed with 50 pounds of... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)
How many pounds of hamburger that costs $1.10 per pound must be mixed with 50 pounds of... (answered by ptaylor)
How many pounds of hamburger that costs $1.60 per pound must be mixed with 70 pounds of... (answered by Fombitz)
Please help. How many pounds of hamburger that costs $1.60 per pound must be mixed with (answered by KnightOwlTutor)
How many pounds of hamburger that costs $1.60 per pound must be mixed with 70 pounds of... (answered by checkley77)
How many pounds of hamburger that costs $1.60 per pound must be mixed with 70 pounds of... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)