SOLUTION: A scientist is working with two different concentrations of hydrochloric acid (HCl). One bottle is 80% HCl, and the other is 50% HCl. For their experiment they need 1 liter of 70

Algebra ->  Percentage-and-ratio-word-problems -> SOLUTION: A scientist is working with two different concentrations of hydrochloric acid (HCl). One bottle is 80% HCl, and the other is 50% HCl. For their experiment they need 1 liter of 70      Log On


   

Question 1126094: A scientist is working with two different concentrations of hydrochloric acid (HCl). One bottle is 80% HCl, and the other is 50% HCl. For their experiment they need 1 liter of 70% HCl.
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, greenestamps:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39630) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
No. Those concentrations are not likely. They will not keep very long that way. This question was asked and answered already a few days ago, and the arithmetic was shown, ignoring the behavior or properties of such concentrations of that material.


Answer by greenestamps(13209) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Since this is a math website and not a chemistry website, we should allow the possibility that the given concentrations are unlikely or impossible. The clear intention of the problem is to give you practice solving mixture problems.

Here is the fastest way to solve such problems, without algebra.

70% is 2/3 of the way from 50% to 80% (do a little mental arithmetic)
Therefore, 2/3 of the 1 liter mixture should be the 80% acid.

(mathematical) ANSWER: 1/3 liter of 50% HCl and 2/3 liter of 80% HCl.