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An alloy contains tin and copper in the ratio of 4:5 . If tin has 20% impurity and copper has 58% , what is the avg impurity percentage ?

a) 20%

b) 41.1%

c) 35%

d) 38%

e) 43.1%

(4*0.2 + 5*0.58)/(4+5) = ~41%.

Answer: B.

Tin and copper are in ratio of 4:5. So let total mixture be 4+5 = 9.
So, tin = 4 and copper = 5.
Now, tin has 20% impurity = 20% * 4 = 0.8
Also, copper has 58% impurity = 58% * 5 = 2.9
Average = (0.8 + 2.9)/(4+5)
= 3.7/9
= 0.411
= 41.1%

Hence option (B).

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An alloy contains tin and copper in the ratio of 4:5 . If tin has 20% impurity and copper has 58% , what is the avg impurity percentage ?

a) 20%

b) 41.1%

c) 35%

d) 38%

e) 43.1%



The problem is on ratio / Proportion but look closely it can be solved with weighted average concept

(4*0.2 + 5*0.58)/(4+5) = ~41%.

Answer: B.
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Its a 10sec Question.
Because tin:Copper is in the ratio 4:5, there is more of Copper and hence more impurities from Copper in the final alloy. Since Copper has 58% impurities, the overall average should be closer to 58%, which narrows down the options to B or E. Since T:C is close to 1 (4:5), we want to pick the option closer to the middle but more towards C, which is 42%. Hence option B
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aimlockfire1
An alloy contains tin and copper in the ratio of 4:5 . If tin has 20% impurity and copper has 58% , what is the avg impurity percentage ?

a) 20%

b) 41.1%

c) 35%

d) 38%

e) 43.1%

(4*0.2 + 5*0.58)/(4+5) = ~41%.

Answer: B.
Can be done with weighted avg. formula
w1/w2=(a2-avg)/(avg-a1)
4/5=(58-x)/(x-20)
x=41.1
Ans B
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Bunuel
An alloy contains tin and copper in the ratio of 4:5 . If tin has 20% impurity and copper has 58% , what is the avg impurity percentage ?

A. 20%

B. 41.1%

C. 35%

D. 38%

E. 43.1%


(4*0.2 + 5*0.58)/(4+5) = ~41%.

Answer: B.

Perhaps this is extremely obvious, but how are you able to "see" the last operation so precisely. I.e. does it not require no division by a decimal without a calculator to determine the ~41%? Best regards.
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Bunuel
An alloy contains tin and copper in the ratio of 4:5 . If tin has 20% impurity and copper has 58% , what is the avg impurity percentage ?

A. 20%

B. 41.1%

C. 35%

D. 38%

E. 43.1%


(4*0.2 + 5*0.58)/(4+5) = ~41%.

Answer: B.

Perhaps this is extremely obvious, but how are you able to "see" the last operation so precisely. I.e. does it not require no division by a decimal without a calculator to determine the ~41%? Best regards.

\(\frac{(4*0.2 + 5*0.58)}{(4+5)} = \frac{0.8+2.9}{9}= \frac{3.7}{9}\).

3.6/9 = 0.4, so 3.7/9 will be a bit larger.
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We can also transition the fraction to percent by recognizing that a fraction with denominator of 9 can be multiplied by 11 to generate an approximation.

\(\frac{3.7}{9}*11 = \frac{40.7}{99}\). As we divide only by 99 and not by 100 the value in percent must be slightly higher so 41,1% is the only reasonable answer.
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Bunuel
An alloy contains tin and copper in the ratio of 4:5 . If tin has 20% impurity and copper has 58% , what is the avg impurity percentage ?

A. 20%

B. 41.1%

C. 35%

D. 38%

E. 43.1%

Let’s re-express the ratio of tin to copper as 4x : 5x. The average impurity is:

[4x(0.2) + 5x(0.58)]/9x = (0.8x + 2.9x)/9x = 3.7/9 = 0.411 = 41.1%.

Answer: B
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Bunuel
An alloy contains tin and copper in the ratio of 4:5 . If tin has 20% impurity and copper has 58% , what is the avg impurity percentage ?

A. 20%

B. 41.1%

C. 35%

D. 38%

E. 43.1%


(4*0.2 + 5*0.58)/(4+5) = ~41%.

Answer: B.

Are you completing the (4*0.2 + 5*0.58)/(4+5) = ~41% calculation in your head? Thank you.
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Bunuel
An alloy contains tin and copper in the ratio of 4:5 . If tin has 20% impurity and copper has 58% , what is the avg impurity percentage ?

A. 20%

B. 41.1%

C. 35%

D. 38%

E. 43.1%

Let’s re-express the ratio of tin to copper as 4x : 5x. The average impurity is:

[4x(0.2) + 5x(0.58)]/9x = (0.8x + 2.9x)/9x = 3.7/9 = 0.411 = 41.1%.

Answer: B

When it comes to the simple arithmetic such as "5x(0.58) = 2.9x" or "3.7/9 = 0.411" what shortcuts are you using to compute these calculations? Thank you.
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Bunuel
An alloy contains tin and copper in the ratio of 4:5 . If tin has 20% impurity and copper has 58% , what is the avg impurity percentage ?

A. 20%

B. 41.1%

C. 35%

D. 38%

E. 43.1%


(4*0.2 + 5*0.58)/(4+5) = ~41%.

Answer: B.

Are you completing the (4*0.2 + 5*0.58)/(4+5) = ~41% calculation in your head? Thank you.

Check this: https://gmatclub.com/forum/an-alloy-con ... l#p2058527
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