SOLUTION: Cement, gravel, and sand are to be combined into a mixture in the ratio of 3:5:7 respectively. If 5 tons of cement are available, how many tons of the mixture can be made?

Algebra ->  Percentage-and-ratio-word-problems -> SOLUTION: Cement, gravel, and sand are to be combined into a mixture in the ratio of 3:5:7 respectively. If 5 tons of cement are available, how many tons of the mixture can be made?      Log On


   

Question 836295: Cement, gravel, and sand are to be combined into a mixture in the ratio of 3:5:7 respectively. If 5 tons of cement are available, how many tons of the mixture can be made?
Found 2 solutions by stanbon, jim_thompson5910:
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Cement, gravel, and sand are to be combined into a mixture in the ratio of 3:5:7 respectively. If 5 tons of cement are available, how many tons of the mixture can be made?
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3:5:7 is the same as 3x:5x:7x where 3x is the amount of cement:
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Equation:
3x = 5 tons
x = 5/3 tons)
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Gravel = 5x = 5(5/3) = 25/3 = 8 1/3 tons
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Sand = 7x = 7(5/3) = 35/3 = 11 2/3 tons
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
3:5:7 means we have 3x, 5x and 7x of Cement, gravel, and sand where x is some number

Since "If 5 tons of cement are available", we know 3x+=+5 and x+=+5%2F3

So 5x=5%285%2F3%29=25%2F3 tons of gravel can be used

and 7x=7%285%2F3%29=35%2F3 tons of sand can be used

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In total, 5%2F3%2B25%2F3%2B35%2F3=%285%2B25%2B35%29%2F3+=+65%2F3 tons of mix can be made

Note: 65%2F3 is an improper fraction and 65%2F3+=+21%262%2F3 (the number on the right side is a mixed number)