Alligation and Mixtures

Important terms:

1) Alligation: Rule of alligation enables us to find the ratio in which two or more

ingredients at a given price must be mixed to produce a resultant mixture of desired
price.

2) Mean Price: It is the cost of unit quantity of a mixture.

3) Mixture: Mixture is formed by mixing two or more quantities. It can be expressed in

the form of percentage or ratio.

- 10 % of sugar in water
- A solution of water and sugar is 12 : 20, which means water : sugar = 12 : 20

According to the rule of alligation: When two ingredients are mixed,

Cheaper Quantity (X) (C.P. of Y) – (Mean Price)

=
(Quantity of Y) (Mean Price) – (C.P. of X)

If a vessel contains A liters of milk and if B litres of milk is withdrawn and

replaced by water, and again if B litres of mixture is withdrawn and replaced by
water and this operation is replaced n times in all, then

(Quantity of milk left after nth operation) (A – B) n

=
(Initial quantity of milk) A

[A(1 – (B/A))n]
Quantity of milk left after n  operation = A x
th

A
Simplified formula to calculate quantity of milk left after n th operation = [A(1 – (B/A))n]
Tricks and Tips:

1) Rule of alligation:

Ratio (M – B) (B – M)
=
= (A – M) (M – A)

Points to Remember While Using the Rule of Alligation

- The three values alligated should always represent the same variable and should have
same units.
- alligation of 3 values of cost gives the ratio in terms of number and vice-versa.
- If two values of cost price and selling price of the mixture are given, then in such cases
first calculate the cost price of the mixture and then allegate the 3 values of cost price.
- A and B represent concentration if the numerical is based on mixing of solutions.