<PRE><B>Question 373039</B>
A dehydrated patient needs a 2.6% saline IV.
Unfortunately, the hospital only has bags of 8% and 2% saline solutions.
 How many liters of each of these solutions should be mixed together to
 yield 2 liters of the desired concentration?
:
Let x = amt of 8% solution required
then
(2-x) = amt of 2% solution
:
.08x + .02(2-x) = .026(2)
.08x + .04 - .02x = .056
.08x - .02x = .056 - .04
.06x = .016
x = {{{.016/.06}}}
x = .267 liters of the 8% solution required
then
2 - .267 = 1.733 liters of the 2% solution
:
:
Check in original equation
.08(.267) + .02(1.733) = .026(2)
.02136 + .03466 = .056
.056 = .056; confirms our answer</PRE>