Question 346645
Write a system of two equations using x and y to represent the following problem. A chemist is mixing two solutions together. 
The chemist wants 100 gallons when complete. He is mixing a 24% solution with a 50% solution to get a 36% solution. How many gallons of each will he use?
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Let x = amount of 24% solution
and y = amount of 50% solution
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From: "The chemist wants 100 gallons when complete." we get equation 1:
x+y = 100
From: "He is mixing a 24% solution with a 50% solution to get a 36% solution." we get equation 2:
.24x + .50y = .36(100)
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Solve equation 1 for y:
x+y = 100
y = 100-x
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Substitute the above into equation 2:
.24x + .50y = .36(100)
.24x + .50(100-x) = .36(100)
.24x + 50-.50x = 36
50-.26x = 36
-.26x = -14
x = 53.85 gallons (of 24% solution)
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to find 50% solution substitute above into equation 1:
x+y = 100
53.85+y = 100
y = 46.15 gallons