Question 146600
Let's start by assigning variables to represent the unknown quantities.
Let S = the number of pounds of Soybean meal required.
Let C = the number of pounds of Corn meal required.
The amount of protein in S pounds of Soybean mean can be represented as: 18% of S or, (0.18)S
The amount of protein in the C pounds of Corn meal can be represented as: 9% of C or, 0.09C
Now if we add these two amounts of protein, we should get 14% of 360 or (0.14)360
Now we can write the equation:
(0.18)S+(0.09)C = (0.14)360
But we have two unknowns and only one equation, so, to remove one of the unknowns (S or C, let's choose C), we can see that the number of pounds of C is just 360 - S, so we'll substitute C = 360-S and rewrite the equation.
(0.18)S + (0.09)(360-S) = (0.14)360 Now we can solve for C.
(0.18)S + 32.4 - (0.09)S = 50.4 Combine like-terms on the left side.
(0.09)S +32.4 = 50.4  Subtract 32.4 from both sides.
(0.09)S = 18 Finally, divide both sides by 0.09
S = 200 and
C = 360-S = 360-200 = 160
The mixture of 360 pounds of 14% protein should contain 200 pounds of Soybean meal and 160 pounds of Corn meal.