Question 1182358
<br>
Here is a non-algebraic method for solving any two-part mixture problem like this.  If your mental math is good, you will get to the answer much faster than with formal algebra.<br>
You are starting with some 45% alcohol and adding some 40% alcohol to get 43% alcohol.<br>
Picture that as starting at 45 on a number line and walking towards 40, stopping when you get to 43.<br>
From 45 to 40 is a distance of 5; from 45 to 43 is a distance of 2; so when you stop at 43 you have walked 2/5 of the way from 45 to 40.<br>
That means 2/5 of the mixture is what you are adding.<br>
So the 12 ounces of 45% alcohol you started with is 3/5 of the mixture; since 3/5 of the mixture is 12 ounces, 2/5 of the mixture is 8 ounces.<br>
ANSWER: 8 ounces<br>