One liquid contains 25% benzene and another liquid contains 30% benzene. A can is filled by mixing 6 parts of the first liquid and 4 parts of the second liquid. Find the percentage of benzene in the resulting mixture (assume parts are by volume and additive).

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 27%

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This is a weighted-average concentration problem. When you mix two liquids with different benzene percentages, the final percentage depends on how much of each liquid is used. Because 6 parts of the first and 4 parts of the second are mixed, the mixture is not an equal average; it is a weighted mean based on parts.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Liquid 1 benzene concentration = 25%
  • Liquid 2 benzene concentration = 30%
  • Parts mixed: 6 parts of liquid 1, 4 parts of liquid 2
  • Total parts = 10


Concept / Approach:
Final % = (sum of benzene amounts) / (total mixture) * 100. Since parts are proportional volumes, use parts directly in the weighted calculation.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Benzene from liquid 1 (per 6 parts) = 6 * 25 = 150 (in percent-parts units) Step 2: Benzene from liquid 2 (per 4 parts) = 4 * 30 = 120 Step 3: Total benzene contribution = 150 + 120 = 270 Step 4: Total parts = 6 + 4 = 10 Step 5: Final benzene percentage = 270 / 10 = 27%


Verification / Alternative check:
The result must lie between 25% and 30%. Since more quantity is from 25% liquid (6 parts vs 4 parts), the final should be closer to 25 than to 30. 27% fits that expectation.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

28%: would require relatively more of the 30% liquid than given. 26%: would require too much of the 25% liquid compared to 30%. 25%: impossible unless only liquid 1 is used. 29%: would require the mixture to be dominated by the 30% liquid.


Common Pitfalls:
Many learners take a simple average (25 + 30)/2 = 27.5% and ignore the 6:4 weighting. Another mistake is to treat 6 and 4 as percentages rather than parts and miscompute the denominator.


Final Answer:
27%

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