SOLUTION: Soybean meal is 12% protein; cornmeal is 6% protein. How many pounds of each should be mixed together in order to get 240-lb mixture that is 11% protein? How many pounds of co

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Question 371083: Soybean meal is 12% protein; cornmeal is 6% protein. How many pounds of each should be mixed together in order to get 240-lb mixture that is 11% protein?

How many pounds of cornmeal should be in the mixture?
How many pounds of soybean should be in the mixture?

Thank you very much for much for any and all help that you can provide!

Bridget

Answer by jvan(28) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let s = the pounds of soybean meal we need. let c = the pounds of cornmeal we need. We can set up an equation to relate the pounds and protein of everything: , the amount of protein in the soymeal plus the amount of protein in the cornmeal should add up to the amount of protein in the combined mixture. Since we have two variables in this equation, we won't be able to solve for each of the variables. We at least need another equation. Let's now relate the pounds: because the weight of the soymeal and the cornmeal will have to add up to the final weight of 240lbs. We can solve the second equation for either s or c, I'll solve it for s. Subtract c from both sides of the second equation to get: . Now you can plug this into the first equation to make become . Distribute the 0.12 to get . Combine the c terms . Subtract 28.8 from both sides of the equation to get: . Divide both sides of the equation by -0.06 to get . So, 40lbs of cornmeal should be used and 240-40 = 200lbs of soymeal should be used in the mixture. I hope this helps! Please visit and join my website at www.myonlinetutor.webs.com to get help from me directly for FREE! =]