Difficulty: Hard
Correct Answer: 193:122
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:This question checks mixture combination using fraction conversion. When equal quantities of different mixtures are mixed, you cannot add ratios directly. Instead, convert each ratio into milk and water fractions, assume an equal volume from each mixture (like 1 litre each), compute total milk and total water, and then form the final ratio.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:Convert each ratio to fractions: milk fraction = milk parts / total parts, water fraction = water parts / total parts. Add fractions across equal volumes, then convert to an integer ratio.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Assume 1 unit taken from each mixture (total 3 units combined) Step 2: For 1:2, total parts = 3 => milk = 1/3, water = 2/3 Step 3: For 2:3, total parts = 5 => milk = 2/5, water = 3/5 Step 4: For 3:4, total parts = 7 => milk = 3/7, water = 4/7 Step 5: Total milk = 1/3 + 2/5 + 3/7 Step 6: Use LCM 105: milk = 35/105 + 42/105 + 45/105 = 122/105 Step 7: Total water = 2/3 + 3/5 + 4/7 Step 8: Water = 70/105 + 63/105 + 60/105 = 193/105 Step 9: Ratio water:milk = (193/105):(122/105) = 193:122Verification / Alternative check:Water should be more than milk because each mixture has more water than milk. Final ratio 193:122 confirms water > milk and is consistent.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
122:193: reverses the asked order (water:milk). 97:102: would imply milk slightly more than water, impossible here. 147:185 and 115:201: do not match the correctly computed fraction sums.Common Pitfalls:Do not average ratios directly. Also avoid mixing up the required order (water:milk vs milk:water). Another mistake is forgetting that “equal quantities” means equal total volume taken from each mixture.
Final Answer:193:122
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