Question 168604
Kathy has 5 liters of a 32% acid solution and she also has a large amount of a
 26% acid solution. How many liters of the 26% solution can Kathy mix with 
the 5 liters of 32% solution in order to produce a 50% acid solution?
:
I think you would just use a typical mixture equation, if it's impossible, it
 will let you know, by giving a negative solution.
:
Let x = amt of 26% solution (why would you need y?)
:
.32(5) + .26x = .50(x+5)
:
1.6 + .26x = .50x = 2.5
:
.26x - .50x = 2.5 - 1.6
-.24x = .9
x = {{{.9/(-.24)}}}
x = -3.75; clearly, not of the real world
:
:
Substitution will show the equation is satisfied, but negative substances don't exist