A vessel contained a certain amount of a solution of acid and water. When 2 litres of water was added to it, the new solution had 50% acid concentration. When 15 litres of acid was further added to this new solution, the final solution had 80% acid concentration. The ratio of water and acid in the original solution was
A vessel contained a certain amount of a solution of acid and water. When 2 litres of water was added to it, the new solution had 50% acid concentration. When 15 litres of acid was further added to this new solution, the final solution had 80% acid concentration. The ratio of water and acid in the original solution was
Solution
We define our unknowns:
= initial water (in litres)
= initial acid (in litres)
When 2 litres of water is added, the solution becomes 50% acid.
New total volume =
Acid percentage =
Setting up the equation:
Now 15 litres of acid is added to the solution from the previous step, making it 80% acid.
New acid amount =
New total volume =
Acid percentage =
Setting up the equation:
From equation (1):
Substituting into equation (2):
Therefore:
In the original solution:
Water = 3 litres
Acid = 5 litres
Ratio of water to acid = 3 : 5