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we can also go by answer choices

Tke 100 ml for eg

400 (old)+100 (new concentr)ml

500*32/100 = 160 ml (60ml is de old concentration +100 ml (newly added)

Let me know if im wrong :roll:

Cheers,
Raghav
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raghavs
we can also go by answer choices

Tke 100 ml for eg

400 (old)+100 (new concentr)ml

500*32/100 = 160 ml (60ml is de old concentration +100 ml (newly added)

Let me know if im wrong :roll:

Cheers,
Raghav

yes we can go by answer choices as well....but in GMAT we will see questions having values either in ascending or descending order unlike the options in the question here. Plugging in/POE is always suggested to be done taking the middle option first and then proceed.
I feel taking answer choices will take more time to solve this question.
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kirankp
How much pure alcohol should be added to 400ml of a 15% solution to make the strength of solution 32%?

A)100 ml
B) 60 ml
C)120 ml
D)130 ml
E)150 ml

let xml is added
15% of 400=60 ml
after addition
(60+x)/(400+x)=32%
solving x=100 ml
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kirankp
How much pure alcohol should be added to 400ml of a 15% solution to make the strength of solution 32%?

A. 100 ml
B. 60 ml
C. 120 ml
D. 130 ml
E. 150 ml
Let x = the amount of alcohol to be added
x = 100% alcohol = 1.00 (decimal percent)

Weighted average, slight variation.
For each part, A and B, to be mixed:

1) multiply its alcohol concentration (weight) by its volume

2) sum the separate results, which =

3) (Desired alcohol concentration of resultant solution) * (Volume of resultant solution, usually A + B)

.15(400) + 1(x) = .32(400 + x)

60 + x = 128 + .32x

.68x = 68

x = \(\frac{68}{.68}= 100\)

Answer A
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Method 1:
Equation in terms of alcohol.
400(.15)+x(1.0)=(400+x)(.32)

60+x=128+.32x
.68x=68
x=100

Method 2: Equation in terms of water

.85(400)+x(0)=(.68)(400+x)

solving for x will give you the same answer.

Method 3- alligation

15____________32_____________100

68 17

4 1

the ratio of the 15 percent solution to pure alcohol = 4:1
Since there are 400 ml of the 15% solution, the multiplier is 100. 100(1)=100
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Method 1:

Equation in terms of alcohol.

400(.15)+x(1.0)=(400+x)(.32)

60+x=128+.32x

.68x=68

x=100

Method 2: Equation in terms of water

.85(400)+x(0)=(.68)(400+x)

solving for x will give you the same answer.

Method 3- alligation

15____________32_____________100

68__________________________________ 17

4 _________________________________ 1

the ratio of the 15 percent solution to pure alcohol = 4:1
Since there are 400 ml of the 15% solution, the multiplier is 100. 100(1)=100

Method 4-Weighted average (in terms of alcohol)

[400(.15)+x]/[400+x]=32/100

Method 5-Weighted average (in terms of water)

[400(.85)]/[400+x]=68/100
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kirankp
How much pure alcohol should be added to 400ml of a 15% solution to make the strength of solution 32%?

A. 100 ml
B. 60 ml
C. 120 ml
D. 130 ml
E. 150 ml

let a=alcohol to be added
.15*400+a=.32(400+a)
a=100 ml
A
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kirankp
How much pure alcohol should be added to 400ml of a 15% solution to make the strength of solution 32%?

A. 100 ml
B. 60 ml
C. 120 ml
D. 130 ml
E. 150 ml

I felt that using allegation was the easiest way to solve this question.

We need the solutions to be mixed in a 4:1 ratio, thus if we have 400ml of the first mixture, we will need 100ml of pure alcohol to make a mixture with ratio 4:1.
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