document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1168287>Question 1168287</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> A store manager wants to mix two different brands of coffee to make 480 pounds to sell at $2.68 a pound. He uses a brand of coffee worth $2.50 a pound and another brand worth $2.80 a pound. How many pounds of each should be used? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #792905 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><B>greenestamps(13203)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=greenestamps><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=792905\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "That other tutor really loves that general formula with all those different variables....<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "I'm more in favor of a student UNDERSTANDING how to solve a problem, rather than plugging numbers into a mysterious formula.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Algebraically, x pounds at $2.50 per pound, plus (480-x) pounds at $2.80 per pound, makes 180 pounds at $2.68 per pound:<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%282.50%29%2B%28480-x%29%282.80%29+=+480%282.68%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%282.50%29%2B%28480-x%29%282.80%29+=+480%282.68%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Solve using basic algebra; although the calculations are a bit messy.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Here is a quick and easy path to the solution to any 2-part mixture problem like this, if a formal algebraic solution is not required.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Picture the three prices on a number line: 2.50, 2.68, and 2.80.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Determine with simple arithmetic that 2.68 is 18/30 = 3/5 of the way from 2.50 to 2.80.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "That means 3/5 of the mixture is the higher priced coffee.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "ANSWER: 3/5 of the 480 pounds, or 288 pounds, of the $2.80 coffee; the other 192 pounds of the $2.50 coffee.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "CHECK:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "288(2.80)+192(2.50) = 806.4+480 = 1286.4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "480(2.68) = 1286.4<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
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