In what proportion should you combine a 2:5 soaking solution and distilled water to create a 300 ml of a 1:20 solution?

To determine the proportion of the 2:5 soaking solution and distilled water needed to create a 300 ml 1:20 solution, we first need to understand what the ratio represents.

The ratio 2:5 indicates that for every 2 units of the soaking solution, there are 5 units of distilled water. Similarly, the ratio 1:20 means that for every 1 unit of the desired solution, there are 20 units of a mixture.

To find the proportion, we can set up a proportion equation using the given ratios:

(2 units soaking solution) : (5 units distilled water) = (1 unit desired solution) : (20 units mixture)

Now, we can solve the proportion equation to determine the proportion of soaking solution to distilled water needed.

Step 1: Find the proportion of desired solution to the total mixture.
(1 unit desired solution) / (20 units mixture) = (x units desired solution) / (300 ml mixture)

Here, we are looking for the proportion of the desired solution in a 300 ml mixture.

Step 2: Solve for x.
Cross-multiply the equation:
1 * 300 ml mixture = 20 * x units desired solution

Simplify the equation:
300 ml mixture = 20x units desired solution

Divide by 20:
x units desired solution = 300 ml mixture / 20

Simplify:
x units desired solution = 15 ml desired solution

Therefore, the proportion of the desired solution (1:20) in a 300 ml mixture is 15 ml. This means that you would need to combine 15 ml of the 2:5 soaking solution with 285 ml (300 ml - 15 ml) of distilled water to create a 300 ml 1:20 solution.