Question 180961

Let x=amount of the 40% solution that is spilled and the amount of pure water that is added back

Now we know that the amount of pure acid remaining after the spill(0.40(8-x)) has to equal the amount of pure acid that is in the final solution after the water is added(0.30*8).  So our equation to solve is:
0.40(8-x)=0.30*8  get rid of parens
3.2-0.40x=2.4 subtract 3.2 from each side
3.2-3.2-0.40x=2.4-3.2 collect like terms
-0.40x=--0.8
x=2 liters------------------------amount that was spilled

CK
0.40*6=0.30*8
2.4=2.4

Hope this helps---ptaylor