Multiple choice

The ratios of water and milk in two containers A and B are 4 : 3 and 2 : 3, respectively. To obtain a new mixture in a container C consisting water and milk in the ratio 1 : 1, the liquids in both the containers A and B should be mixed in what ratio?

  1. 7 : 3

  2. 7 : 5

  3. 5 : 3

  4. 5 : 2

  5. 3 : 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Let x be the amount from A and y be the amount from B. Water in A = 4/7, Milk in A = 3/7. Water in B = 2/5, Milk in B = 3/5. (4/7x + 2/5y) / (3/7x + 3/5y) = 1/1. 4/7x + 2/5y = 3/7x + 3/5y. 1/7x = 1/5y. x/y = 7/5.

AI explanation

Using the alligation method on the fraction of water in each mixture, container A has 4/7 water and container B has 2/5 water, while the target mixture C has 1/2 water. The ratio of A to B is the difference between the target and B placed over the difference between A and the target: (1/2 - 2/5) divided by (4/7 - 1/2). This simplifies to (1/10) divided by (1/14), which equals 14/10 or 7/5. The liquids should be mixed in a 7 to 5 ratio.

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