SOLUTION: If a scientist has 35% acid solution and 20% acid solution and she needs 3 liters of 25% acid solution write and solve a linear equation of how much of each solution she should use

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Question 708615: If a scientist has 35% acid solution and 20% acid solution and she needs 3 liters of 25% acid solution write and solve a linear equation of how much of each solution she should use.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If you want filling in with values, then for a of the 20% acid and b of the 35% acid, you can make these:
%2820%2Aa%2B35%2Ab%29%2F3=25 and a%2Bb=3

From the rational equation, multiply left and right by 3, and also divide both sides by 5 (seeing that all terms include a multiple of 5):
4a+7b=3*5,
4a%2B7b=15

We have this adjusted system to solve for a and b:
4a%2B7b=15
a%2Bb=3

From that, you have a choice of methods. Substitution, elimination, or simple matrix operations if you wish to.
Trying substitution, a%2Bb=3 gives us b=3-a;
Put into 4a%2B7%283-a%29=15, and.....