SOLUTION: A chemist has 2 alloys--one containing 20% gold and 25% lead, the other containing 30% gold and 50% lead. How many grams of each is needed to make an alloy containing 60 grams of
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Question 69721: A chemist has 2 alloys--one containing 20% gold and 25% lead, the other containing 30% gold and 50% lead. How many grams of each is needed to make an alloy containing 60 grams of gold and 90 grams of lead?
Please solve using 2 variables and 2 equations.
I tried these 2 equations, but I did not get the correct answers which I believe to be 180 and 80.
0.2x +0.3y = 60
0.25x+0.5y = 90
I may need an equation using "x+y" to tie it all together...Please help because this is driving me crazy!!! Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Maybe I'm reading the problem wrong, but I got the same equations as you.
I ended up with x=120 and y=120
That gives me
alloy x
--------
24 grams gold
30 grams lead
66 grams left over
and
alloy y
--------
36 grams gold
60 grams lead
24 grams left over
and
the equations check OK
24 + 36 = 60
30 + 60 = 90