MIXTURE PROBLEMS

P R E PA RED BY:
JOS E PHINE A . TAYTAYON
LYN G IE A N DR A DE
Mixture Word Problems
Mixture problems in algebra involve combining things
such as solutions or objects together to create a desired
blend. Although there are multiple types of mixture
problems in algebra, they follow the same basic solving
process.
Solving these types of problems takes on
the general pattern of the following four
steps
1. Use a variable to represent the unknown quantity in
the problem.
2. Use the information given in the problem to create
an equation involving that variable.
3. Use algebra to solve the equation for the variable.
4. Answer the question posed in the problem.
Example 1
A 13L solution that was 19% vinegar was mixed with a
11L solution that was 61% vinegar. Find the new
concentration of vinegar.

STEP 1: Use a variable to represent the unknown

quantity in the problem.
Let X be the new concentration of vinegar
STEP 2: Use the information given in the problem to create an equation involving that
variable.

19 % 61 % X%

13 11 24
STEP 3: Use algebra to solve the equation for the
variable.
.19(13) + .61(11) = X(24)
2.47 + 6.71 = 24X
9.18 = 24X
X = 0.3825 x 100 = 38.25%

Step 4: Answer the question posed in the problem.

Therefore, the new concentration of a vinegar is 38.25%
Example 2
How many liters of a 10% salt solution should be added to 80 liters
of a 35% salt solution to obtain a mixture that is a 30% salt solution?
Let X be the amount of 10% salt solution

10% 35% 30%

X 80 X + 80
0.10(X) + (0.35*80) = 0.30(X+80)
.10X + 28 = 0.30X + 24
0.10X – 0.30X = 24 – 28
-0.20X = -4
X = 20L of a 10% salt solution
Example 3
A 15L solution that was 45% vinegar was mixed with 10L of
pure vinegar. Find the new concentration of vinegar.

45% 100% X
15 10 25
0.45(15) + 1(10) = X(25)
6.75 + 10 = 25X
16.75 = 25X
X = 0.67 x 100
X = 67% is the new concentration of vinegar
Example 4
A 12L solution that was 85% vinegar was mixed with 8L of
water. Find the new concentration of vinegar.

85% 0% X
12 8 20
0.85(12) + 0(8)= X(20)
10.20 + 0 = 20X
10.20 = 20X
X = 0.51 x 100
X = 51% is the new concentration of vinegar
Example 5
80 kilos of soil that is 20% clay has to be reformulated to turn it into
25% clay and make it to market. How much pure soil must be taken
out to make it market-ready?

20% 0% 25%
80 X 80 - X
0.20(80) – 0(X)= 0.25(80-X)
16 - 0X = 20 - 0.25X
16 – 20 = -0.25X
-4 = -0.25X
X = 16L of pure soil
Example 6
How many gallons of a 30% acid-solution must be added to how many gallons of 70% acid-
solution to make a 50 gallons of a 40% acid solution?

30% 70% 40%

x 50-X 50
(.30)(x) + (.7)(50-x) = (.4)(50)
10{(.30)(x) + (.7)(50-x) = (.4)(50)}10
3(x) + 7 (50-x) = 4(50)
3x + 350 -7x = 200
3x – 7x = 200 - 350
-4x = -150
-4 -4
X = 37.5 gallons of 30% acid solution
50-x = 12.5 gallons of 70% acid solution
Let’s try!

1. A metallurgist needs to make 13 kg of an alloy containing 74% of gold. She is

going to melt and combine one metal that is 80% gold with another that is
65% gold. How much of each must she used?

2. Ephine wants to make 2 gallons of a 15% acid solution by mixing together a 12%
acid-solution and a 22% acid-solution. How much of each solution must be
used?
Let’s try!
3. How many gallons of pure alcohol should be added to
20 gallons of a 15% alcohol solution to obtain a mixture
that is 25% alcohol?
ANSWERS
1. X = 7.8 Kilograms
13 – X = 13 – 7.8kg = 5.2 Kilograms
2. X = 1.4 Gallons
2 – X = 2 – 1.4 Gallons = 0.6 Gallons
2
3. X = 2 Gallons
3
Thank you
