Multiple choice

Keshto stole wine from a butt of sherry which contained 48% of spirit and then replaced what he stole by wine containing only 27% spirit. The butt was then of 34% strength only. How much portion of the butt had Keshto stolen ?

  1. 1/3

  2. 2/3

  3. 1/2

  4. 1/6
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Using the alligation rule: (48-34) / (34-27) = 14 / 7 = 2. This means 2 parts of the original were replaced by 1 part of the new mixture, so 2/3 of the total was replaced.

AI explanation

Apply the rule of alligation to find the ratio of the stolen 27% spirit wine to the original 48% spirit wine. The resulting mixture has 34% spirit, giving a ratio of (48 - 34) to (34 - 27), which is 14 : 7, or 2 : 1. This means the 27% replacement wine makes up 2/3 of the total butt.

Keep practicing — related questions