Problem No.

How many liters of a 60% solution of nitric acid should be added to 40 L of a 30% solution to
obtain a 50% solution of the acid?

A. 50 B. 80 C. 65 D. 95

Given:

M1= 60% solution of nitric acid

M2 = 40 L of a 30% solution
MT = 50% solution of the acid

Required:

M1 = mass in liters

Schematic diagram:

%X1 %X2 %X3

M1 + M2 = M 1+ M 2

Solution:

M 1 ( 0.60 )+ 40 L ( 0.30 )=(M ¿¿ 1+ 40 L)(0.50)¿

0.60 M 1+ 12 L=0.50 M 1 +20 L

M 1 ( 0.60−0.50 ) =20 L−12 L

0.10 M 1 8 L
=
0.10 0.10

M1 = 80L

ANSWER: B

Discussion:

The sum of the two mass of a mixture is always equal to the mass of the total mixture. We
obtained the value of the required mass of a mixture of 80L, letter B.