SOLUTION: In what ratio should a 20% methyl alcohol solution be mixed with a 50% methyl alcohol solution so that the resultant solution has 40% methyl alcohol in it?

Question 286498: In what ratio should a 20% methyl alcohol solution be mixed with a 50% methyl alcohol solution so that the resultant solution has 40% methyl alcohol in it?
Answer by richwmiller(17219) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
you are mixing two solutions to get a third.
so a+b=c
we don't know how much to mix nor how much we will end up with.
so we call the amount to mix x and y and the total will of course be x+y
.2x+.5y=.4(x+y)
2x+5y=4(x+y)
2x+5y=4x+4y
2x+y=4x
y=2x
so you will mix 2x for every y
y/x=2
x/y=1/2

RELATED QUESTIONS
In what ratio should a 20% methyl alcohol solution be mixed with a 50% methyl alcohol... (answered by josmiceli)

in what ratios a 20% methyl alcohol solution be mixed with 50% methyl alcohol so that the (answered by richwmiller)

Paul has an 70% methyl alcohol solution. He wishes to make a gallon of a solution by... (answered by scott8148)

Herb Garrett has an 80% methyl alcohol solution. He wishes to make a gallon of... (answered by fractalier)

Paul has an 60% methyl alcohol solution. He wishes to make a gallon of a solution... (answered by josgarithmetic)

How many liters of 70% methyl solution should be added to 200 liters of a 20% methyl... (answered by ewatrrr,stanbon,richwmiller)

How many liters of a 70% methyl solution should be added to 200 liters of a 20% methyl... (answered by ptaylor)

A chemist has on hand a supply of a 40% methyl alcohol solution and a 55% methyl alcohol... (answered by Alan3354)

Find the ratio at which 50% alcohol be mixed with 75% alcohol to form a solution of... (answered by ewatrrr)