Question

A company mixes two kinds of cleansers to get a blend they sell for 59 cents a liter. One of the cleansers costs 50 cents per liter, and the other 80 cents per liter. How much of each kind should be mixed to get 2,000 liters of the blend?

Answer 1

Answer:

Cleanser that costs 50 cents is 1400 liters, Cleanser that costs 80 cents is 600 liters.

Step-by-step explanation:

We can solve this by using simultaneous equations:

1. Let us express the question in terms of equations

Let a be cleanser at 50 cents and let b be the cleanser at 80 cents.

Equation 1: 0.5a + 0.8b = 0.59(a+b)

Equation 2: a + b = 2000

From equation 2, a = 2000 - b (Let's call this equation 3)

    2. Substituting equations 2 and 3 in Equation 1:

0.5a + 0.8b = 0.59(a+b)

0.5(2000 - b) + 0.8b = 0.59(2000)

1000 - 0.5b + 0.8b = 1180

0.3b = 180

b = 600

Substitute in equation 3:

a = 2000 - 600

a = 1400

As a note, I formed equation 1 because I know for a fact the cost per liter of a and b. I also know it is sold at 0.59 cents per liter. We are selling 2000 liters in this instance, therefore 0.59(2000) = 1180, which in this case is the selling price.