Math Problem Statement

Two friends have built a lemonade stand, and they plan to start out by selling 24 liters of lemonade containing 27% lemon juice. To make this, they will mix some homemade lemonade containing 31% lemon juice with some store-bought lemonade that contains 26% lemon juice. How much of each type should the friends use? Write your answers as whole numbers or as decimals rounded to the nearest tenth.

Solution

To solve this problem, we will use a mixture equation based on the concentration of lemon juice.

Step 1: Define Variables

Let:

  • xx: liters of homemade lemonade (31% lemon juice)
  • yy: liters of store-bought lemonade (26% lemon juice)

From the total amount of lemonade:
x+y=24x + y = 24

Step 2: Set Up the Mixture Equation

The total amount of lemon juice from each type must equal the lemon juice in the final mixture:
0.31x+0.26y=0.27×240.31x + 0.26y = 0.27 \times 24

Simplify the right-hand side:
0.31x+0.26y=6.480.31x + 0.26y = 6.48

Step 3: Solve the System of Equations

  1. From the first equation:
    y=24xy = 24 - x
  2. Substitute into the second equation:
    0.31x+0.26(24x)=6.480.31x + 0.26(24 - x) = 6.48
  3. Expand:
    0.31x+6.240.26x=6.480.31x + 6.24 - 0.26x = 6.48
  4. Combine like terms:
    0.05x=0.240.05x = 0.24
  5. Solve for xx:
    x=0.240.05=4.8x = \frac{0.24}{0.05} = 4.8

Step 4: Find yy

y=244.8=19.2y = 24 - 4.8 = 19.2

Final Answer:

  • Homemade lemonade: 4.8 liters
  • Store-bought lemonade: 19.2 liters

Would you like more explanation or have questions?


Related Questions:

  1. How do you calculate percentages in mixture problems?
  2. What are the key steps in solving a system of linear equations?
  3. How does concentration affect mixture problems?
  4. What happens if the desired concentration is higher than both sources?
  5. How do you handle mixtures with more than two components?

Tip: When solving mixture problems, always set up equations for both the total quantity and the concentration to form a solvable system.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Systems of Linear Equations
Percentages

Formulas

x + y = total liters
Concentration equation: 0.31x + 0.26y = desired concentration

Theorems

Linear equation solving

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12