Math Problem Statement

If I have a mixture of 15% one, 30% two, 15% three, and 40% other ingredients in one teaspoon, how many grams of two would I have to add to make the ratio 15/40/15/30?

Solution

To solve this problem, we need to adjust the proportions of the mixture so that the final mixture has the desired ratios. Let’s denote the weight of the original teaspoon mixture as WW grams.

Step 1: Express the original amounts of each component

  • Component One (15%): 0.15W0.15W grams
  • Component Two (30%): 0.30W0.30W grams
  • Component Three (15%): 0.15W0.15W grams
  • Other Ingredients (40%): 0.40W0.40W grams

Step 2: Define the new amount of Component Two

Let xx be the amount (in grams) of Component Two that we need to add.

Step 3: Write the equation for the new total weight

The new total weight will be W+xW + x grams.

Step 4: Express the new ratios

  • New Component One: 0.15WW+x\frac{0.15W}{W + x}
  • New Component Two: 0.30W+xW+x\frac{0.30W + x}{W + x}
  • New Component Three: 0.15WW+x\frac{0.15W}{W + x}
  • New Other Ingredients: 0.40WW+x\frac{0.40W}{W + x}

Step 5: Set up the equations for the desired ratios

We want the new mixture to have the following ratios: 15% for One, 40% for Two, 15% for Three, and 30% for Other Ingredients. Therefore, we want:

0.15WW+x=0.15\frac{0.15W}{W + x} = 0.15

0.30W+xW+x=0.40\frac{0.30W + x}{W + x} = 0.40

0.15WW+x=0.15\frac{0.15W}{W + x} = 0.15

0.40WW+x=0.30\frac{0.40W}{W + x} = 0.30

Step 6: Simplify the equations

For Component Two: 0.30W+xW+x=0.40\frac{0.30W + x}{W + x} = 0.40 0.30W+x=0.40(W+x)0.30W + x = 0.40(W + x) 0.30W+x=0.40W+0.40x0.30W + x = 0.40W + 0.40x x0.40x=0.40W0.30Wx - 0.40x = 0.40W - 0.30W 0.60x=0.10W0.60x = 0.10W x=0.10W0.60x = \frac{0.10W}{0.60} x=W6x = \frac{W}{6}

Step 7: Conclusion

To achieve the desired 15/40/15/30 ratio, you need to add W6\frac{W}{6} grams of Component Two to the original mixture.

Example:

If the original teaspoon weighs W=5W = 5 grams, then you would add:

x=560.833 grams of Component Twox = \frac{5}{6} \approx 0.833 \text{ grams of Component Two}

Would you like more details on this, or do you have any other questions?


  1. What happens to the percentages of other components when you add more of one component?
  2. How would the calculations change if instead of adding Component Two, you removed some of the "Other Ingredients"?
  3. How can you check if the final mixture matches the desired ratio after adding xx?
  4. What mathematical principles are used to solve this type of problem?
  5. How would the solution differ if the original mixture was not in percentage form but in grams?

Tip: When dealing with mixtures and proportions, it’s essential to keep track of the total weight, as all percentages depend on this value.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Proportions
Percentages
Equations

Formulas

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Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

High School