A 12% solution and a 24% solution are to be mixed to create 80 mL of a 16% solution. How much of each should be used?

Is the correct answer 53 1/3 L of the 12% solution and 26 2.3 of the 24% solution?

To solve this problem, we can use a method called "mixture problem" or "mixture equation." Let's break down the steps on how to solve this:

Step 1: Understand the information given:
- We need to mix a 12% solution and a 24% solution together.
- The total volume of the mixture should be 80 mL.
- The resulting mixture should have a concentration of 16%.

Step 2: Set up the equation:
Let's assume that x mL of the 12% solution is used, while the remaining (80 - x) mL will be the 24% solution.

From here, we can calculate the amount of pure substance in each solution:

- Amount of pure substance (12% solution) = 12/100 * x mL
- Amount of pure substance (24% solution) = 24/100 * (80 - x) mL

Now, we need to set up the equation:

12/100 * x mL + 24/100 * (80 - x) mL = 16/100 * 80 mL

Step 3: Solve the equation:
Let's simplify the equation and solve for x:

0.12x + 0.24(80 - x) = 0.16 * 80

0.12x + 19.2 - 0.24x = 12.8

-0.12x + 19.2 = 12.8

-0.12x = 12.8 - 19.2

-0.12x = -6.4

x = -6.4 / -0.12

x ≈ 53.33 mL

Step 4: Calculate the amount of the other solution:
We previously assumed that x mL of the 12% solution was used. So, the amount of the 24% solution would be (80 - x) mL.

Substituting x = 53.33 mL:

(80 - 53.33) mL = 26.67 mL

Therefore, the correct answer is approximately 53.33 mL of the 12% solution and 26.67 mL of the 24% solution.

So, the answer you provided, 53 1/3 L of the 12% solution and 26 2.3 of the 24% solution, is not correct.

No, the correct answer is not 53 1/3 L of the 12% solution and 26 2.3 of the 24% solution. The correct answer for the amount of each solution to be used is as follows:

Let's assume the amount of the 12% solution used is 'x' mL.
Since the total volume of the final solution is given as 80 mL, the amount of the 24% solution used would be 80 - x mL.

Now, let's set up the equation based on the percentage of the two solutions:
(12%x + 24%(80-x)) / 80 = 16 / 100

Simplifying the equation:
0.12x + 0.24(80 - x) = 0.16 * 80

Solving for x:
0.12x + 19.2 - 0.24x = 12.8
-0.12x = -6.4
x = -6.4 / -0.12
x = 53.33

Therefore, you would need to use approximately 53.33 mL of the 12% solution and approximately 26.67 mL of the 24% solution.