SOLUTION: A mixture is 90% water. The water weighs 20lbs. The mixture rests for 24 hours and is now only 50% water. No evaporation has occurred. Now how much does the water weigh?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Mixtures -> SOLUTION: A mixture is 90% water. The water weighs 20lbs. The mixture rests for 24 hours and is now only 50% water. No evaporation has occurred. Now how much does the water weigh?       Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 174658: A mixture is 90% water. The water weighs 20lbs. The mixture rests for 24 hours and is now only 50% water. No evaporation has occurred. Now how much does the water weigh?
Answer by Mathtut(3670) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I am changing my answer: since 90% of the mixture is 100% water then 50% of the mixture is 55.56% water...therefore we lost 44.44% of the weight or retained 55.56% of its weight
:
.5556(20)=11.112 pounds....
that being said the water had to evaporate......I believe the assumption is that the other part of the mixture doesnt evaporate.
:
Very strange problem as the mixture could be 90% by weight or volume....alot of questions on this problem.....imo it isnt written very well.
:
If someone has a better explanation I hope they post it......