We have been given that a jeweler has 5 rings, each weighing 12 g, made of an alloy of 20% silver and 80% gold.
Upon melting all 5 rings, the weight of the material will be 12*5=60 grams.
We have been given that the alloy contains 20% silver and 80% gold. Further, let us assume that x grams of silver are added to the melted material so that it has 64% gold and 36% silver.
Therefore, we can set up an equation:

Therefore, we get an equation:


Therefore, 15 grams of silver must be added to the melted material in order to reduce the gold content to 64%.
Answer:
1) Equal to 17.4
2)Less than 17.4
Step-by-step explanation:
One thing we must always remember that when we have number 0 after the decimal point, it means we do not need to consider that as it will have no effect on product and on the other operations.
So,
1)
17.4 x 1.0 = 17.4 x 1 = 17.4 (Product is equal to 17.4)
2)
Suppose if a number 'A' which is less than 1 is multiplied by any other number 'B', than the multiplication always result in the number less than B.
For example:
1x0.5 = 0.5 which is less than 1
Similarly for
17.4 x 0.98 = Result will be less than 17.4 as the second number is less than 1.
Product is less than 17.4