Question 66884

Let x=number of pounds of 35% solution
Then 50-x=number of pounds of 14% solution

Now we know that the pure salt in the 35% solution (.35x) plus the amount of pure salt in the 14% solution (.14(50-x)) has to equal the amount of pure salt in the final mixture (.20(50).  So our equation to solve is:

.35x+.14(50-x)=.20(50)  multiplying out:

.35x+7-.14x=10 subtract 7 from both sides 

.35x+7-7-.14x=10-7 collect like terms
.21x=3
x=14.285 lb -------------number of pounds of 35% solution

50-x=50-14.285=35.715-------------number of pounds of 14% solution

Ck

substitute into original equation
.35(14.285)+.14(35.715)=.20(50)
5+5=10
10=10


Hope this helps-----ptaylor