MHB How Much Pure Disinfectant is Needed to Increase Solution Strength by 25%?

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To increase the strength of a 30-gallon solution of 8% disinfectant by 25%, the correct equation is 0.08(30) + x = 0.1(x + 30). This translates to 2.4 + x = 0.1x + 3. After solving the equation, it is determined that approximately 0.67 gallons, or 2/3 gallons, of pure disinfectant must be added. The calculations confirm the need for precise adjustments to achieve the desired concentration. The final answer is that 0.67 gallons of pure disinfectant is required.
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How much pure disinfectant must be added to 30 gallons of an 8% solution to increase its strength by 25%?

Let x = pure disinfectant to be added

The word PURE tells me that 100 will be in the equation somewhere.

30 gallons of 8 percent = 0.08(30)

Must be added to some unknown = plus x

My equation is 0.08(30) + x = 0.25(x + 100)

Correct? If not, can someone break this mixture problem step by step leading to the right equation?
 
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The LHS of your equation is correct, however for the RHS, we want the concentration to be increase BY 25%, not TO 25%, which means instead of 8%, we want 1.25*8% = 10%. Also, the amount of the final solution will be x + 30, not x + 100...so the correct equation, at least for the way I am interpreting the problem, is:

0.08(30) + x = 0.1(x + 30)
 
0.08(30) + x = 0.1(x + 30)

2.4 + x = 0.1x + 3

x - 0.1x = 2.4 + 3

0.9x = 5.4

x = 5.4/0.9

x = 6

So, 6 pure disinfectant must be added.

Correct?
 
RTCNTC said:
0.08(30) + x = 0.1(x + 30)

2.4 + x = 0.1x + 3

x - 0.1x = 2.4 + 3

You've subtracted 2.4 from the LHS, but added 2.4 to the RHS...:D
 
0.08(30) + x = 0.1(x + 30)

2.4 + x = 0.1x + 3

x - 0.1x = -2.4 + 3

0.9x = 0.6

x = 0.6/0.9

x = 0.66

Right?
 
RTCNTC said:
0.08(30) + x = 0.1(x + 30)

2.4 + x = 0.1x + 3

x - 0.1x = -2.4 + 3

0.9x = 0.6

x = 0.6/0.9

x = 0.66

Right?

If you are going to round to 2 decimal places then x ≈ 0.67 gal., otherwise x = 2/3 gal. :D

x = 0.6/0.9 = 6/9 = 2/3
 
MarkFL said:
If you are going to round to 2 decimal places then x ≈ 0.67 gal., otherwise x = 2/3 gal. :D

x = 0.6/0.9 = 6/9 = 2/3

Great as always.
 
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