SOLUTION: A chemist mixes X grams of a 20% saline solution and Y grams of a 5% saline solution to make 4.5 grams of a 10% saline solution. What are the values of x and y?

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Question 713499: A chemist mixes X grams of a 20% saline solution and Y grams of a 5% saline solution to make 4.5 grams of a 10% saline solution. What are the values of x and y?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39616) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%2820X%2B5Y%29%2F%284.5%29=10 AND X%2BY=4.5

The numbers of the problem were chosen by the author so you could conveniently divide the percentage equation by 5; you should then multiply both sides by 4.5.
4X%2BY=45

The system to solve is this:
4X%2BY=45
X%2BY=4.5
This is also very convenient because now you can subtract the second equation from the first equation and quickly get a value for X.

3X%2B0=40.5,.... See? Now quickly solve for X....