CAT Mixtures & Alligations Notes+Questions
CAT Mixtures & Alligations Notes+Questions
CAT Mixtures & Alligations Notes+Questions
CRACKU.IN
Cracku Tip 1 – Mixtures and Alligations
▪ The theory involved in this topic is very limited and students should be
comfortable with the some basic formulas and concepts.
▪ This pdf covers all the important formulas and concepts related to mixtures
and alligations.
A mixture is created when two or more substances are mixed in a certain ratio.
Types of mixtures
1. Simple mixture: A simple mixture is formed by the mixture of two or more different
substances.
Example: Water and Wine mixture.
The alligation rule can be applied when cheaper substance is mixed with
expensive substance
Quantity of S1
M [
1 a+b
a
2 p+q
]+M [ p
]
=
Quantity of S2 M [ b ]+M [ q ]
1 a+b 2 p+q
a−b n
▪ Liquid A in the container = [ ] × Initial quantity of A in the container
a
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Question 1
A milkman mixes 20 litres of water with 80 litres of milk. After selling one-fourth of this mixture, he adds water to replenish the
quantity that he had sold. What is the current proportion of water to milk?
[CAT 2004]
A 2:3
B 1:2
C 1:3
D 3:4
Answer: A
Video Solution
Explanation:
After selling 1/4th of the mixture, the remaining quantity of water is 15 liters and milk is 60 liters. So the milkman would add 25 liters of
water to the mixture. The total amount of water now is 40 liters and milk is 60 liters. Therefore, the required ratio is 2:3.
Question 2
Two liquids A and B are in the ratio 5 : 1 in container 1 and 1 : 3 in container 2. In what ratio should the contents of the two containers
be mixed so as to obtain a mixture of A and B in the ratio 1 : 1?
A 2:3
B 4:3
C 3:2
D 3:4
Answer: D
Video Solution
Explanation:
5
Fraction of A in contained 1 = 6
1
Fraction of A in contained 2 = 4
Question 3
There are two containers: the first contains 500 ml of alcohol, while the second contains 500 ml of water. Three cups of alcohol from
the first container is taken out and is mixed well in the second container. Then three cups of this mixture is taken out and is mixed in
the first container. Let A denote the proportion of water in the first container and B denote the proportion of alcohol in the second
container. Then,
B A<B
C A=B
D Cannot be determined
Answer: C
Video Solution
Explanation:
Let the volume of the cup be V.
Hence, after removing three cups of alcohol from the first container,
So, the required proportion of water in the first container and alcohol in the second container are equal.
DIRECTIONS for the following two questions: The following table presents the sweetness of different items relative to sucrose, whose
sweetness is taken to be 1.00.
Question 4
What is the maximum amount of sucrose (to the nearest gram) that can be added to one-gram of saccharin such that the final mixture
obtained is atleast 100 times as sweet as glucose?
A 7
B 8
C 9
D 100
Answer: B
Video Solution
Explanation:
For the mixture to be 100 times as sweet as glucose, its sweetness relative to the mixture should be at least 74.
1 gm of saccharin = 675
Let the number of grams of sucrose to be added be N. Thus, the total weight of the mixture = N + 1.
Question 5
Approximately how many times sweeter than sucrose is a mixture consisting of glucose, sucrose and fructose in the ratio of 1: 2: 3?
A 1.3
B 1
C 0.6
D 2.3
Answer: A
Video Solution
Explanation:
The relative sweetness of the mixture is (1*0.74 + 2*1 + 3*1.7) / (1+2+3) = 7.84/6 = 1.30
Instructions
For the following questions answer them individually
Question 6
Bottle 1 contains a mixture of milk and water in 7: 2 ratio and Bottle 2 contains a mixture of milk and water in 9: 4 ratio. In what ratio of
volumes should the liquids in Bottle 1 and Bottle 2 be combined to obtain a mixture of milk and water in 3:1 ratio?
A 27:14
B 27:13
C 27:16
D 27:18
Answer: B
Video Solution
Explanation:
The ratio of milk and water in Bottle 1 is 7:2 and the ratio of milk and water in Bottle 2 is 9:4
7 9
Therefore, the proportion of milk in Bottle 1 is 9 and the proportion of milk in Bottle 2 is 13
27
Therefore X = 13
Consider three mixtures — the first having water and liquid A in the ratio 1:2, the second having water and liquid B in the ratio 1:3, and
the third having water and liquid C in the ratio 1:4. These three mixtures of A, B, and C, respectively, are further mixed in the proportion
4: 3: 2. Then the resulting mixture has
Answer: C
Video Solution
Explanation:
1
The proportion of water in the first mixture is 3
2
The proportion of Liquid A in the first mixture is 3
1
The proportion of water in the second mixture is 4
3
The proportion of Liquid B in the second mixture is 4
1
The proportion of water in the third mixture is 5
4
The proportion of Liquid C in the third mixture is 5
1 1 1 149
As they are mixed in the ratio 4:3:2, the final amount of water is 4× 3 +3× 4 +2× 5 = 60
2 8
The final amount of Liquid A in the mixture is 4× 3 = 3
3 9
The final amount of Liquid B in the mixture is 3× 4 = 4
4 8
The final amount of Liquid C in the mixture is 2× 5 = 5
149 8 9 8
Hence, the ratio of Water : A : B : C in the final mixture is 60 : 3 : 4 : 5 = 149 : 160 : 135 : 96
From the given choices, only option C is correct.
Question 8
Two types of tea, A and B, are mixed and then sold at Rs. 40 per kg. The profit is 10% if A and B are mixed in the ratio 3 : 2, and 5% if
this ratio is 2 : 3. The cost prices, per kg, of A and B are in the ratio
A 17 : 25
B 18 : 25
C 19 : 24
D 21 : 25
Answer: C
Video Solution
Explanation:
The selling price of the mixture is Rs.40/kg.
Let a be the price of 1 kg of tea A in the mixture and b be the price per kg of tea B.
It has been given that the profit is 10% if the 2 varieties are mixed in the ratio 3:2
Let the cost price of the mixture be x.
It has been given that 1.1x = 40
x = 40/1.1
3a+2b
Price per kg of the mixture in ratio 3:2 = 5
3a+2b 40
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3a+2b 40
5 = 1.1
3.3a + 2.2b = 200 --------(1)
Question 9
A wholesaler bought walnuts and peanuts, the price of walnut per kg being thrice that of peanut per kg. He then sold 8 kg of peanuts at
a profit of 10% and 16 kg of walnuts at a profit of 20% to a shopkeeper. However, the shopkeeper lost 5 kg of walnuts and 3 kg of
peanuts in transit. He then mixed the remaining nuts and sold the mixture at Rs. 166 per kg, thus making an overall profit of 25%. At
what price, in Rs. per kg, did the wholesaler buy the walnuts?
A 96
B 98
C 86
D 84
Answer: A
Video Solution
Explanation:
Let the price of peanuts be Rs. 100x per kg
Then, the price of walnuts = Rs. 300x per kg
Cost price of peanuts for the shopkeeper = Rs. 110x per kg
Cost price of walnuts for the shopkeeper = Rs. 360x per kg
Total cost incurred to the shopkeeper while buying = Rs.(8 * 110x + 16 * 360x) = Rs. 6640x
Since, 5kg walnut and 3kg peanuts are lost in transit, the shopkeeper will be remained with (16-5)+(8-3)=16kgs of nuts
Total selling price that the shopkeeper got = Rs. (166 * 16) = Rs. 2656
Profit = 25%
So, cost price = Rs. 2124.80
Therefore, 6640x = 2124.80
On solving, we get x = 0.32
Therefore, price of walnuts = Rs. (300 * 0.32) = Rs. 96 per kg.
Hence, option A is the correct answer
A trader sells 10 litres of a mixture of paints A and B, where the amount of B in the mixture does not exceed that of A. The cost of paint
A per litre is Rs. 8 more than that of paint B. If the trader sells the entire mixture for Rs. 264 and makes a profit of 10%, then the highest
possible cost of paint B, in Rs. per litre, is
A 16
C 20
D 22
Answer: C
Video Solution
Explanation:
Let the price of paint B be x.
Price of paint A = x+8
We know that the amount of paint B in the mixture does not exceed the amount of paint A. Therefore, paint B can at the maximum
compose 50% of the mixture.
=> (x+x+8)/2 = 24
2x = 40
x = Rs. 20
Question 11
A 20% ethanol solution is mixed with another ethanol solution, say, S of unknown concentration in the proportion 1:3 by volume. This
mixture is then mixed with an equal volume of 20% ethanol solution. If the resultant mixture is a 31.25% ethanol solution, then the
unknown concentration of S is
A 30%
B 40%
C 50%
D 60%
Answer: C
Video Solution
Explanation:
Let the volume of the first and the second solution be 100 and 300.
When they are mixed, quantity of ethanol in the mixture
= (20 + 300S)
Let this solution be mixed with equal volume i.e. 400 of third solution in which the strength of ethanol is 20%.
So, the quantity of ethanol in the final solution
= (20 + 300S + 80) = (300S + 100)
It is given that, 31.25% of 800 = (300S + 100)
or, 300S + 100 = 250
1
or S = 2 = 50%
Hence, 50 is the correct answer.
A jar contains a mixture of 175 ml water and 700 ml alcohol. Gopal takes out 10% of the mixture and substitutes it by water of the
same amount. The process is repeated once again. The percentage of water in the mixture is now
A 30.3
B 35.2
C 25.4
D 20.5
Answer: B
Video Solution
Explanation:
700 90
Final quantity of alcohol in the mixture = 700 + 175 ∗ ( 100 )2 ∗ [700 + 175] = 567 ml
There are two drums, each containing a mixture of paints A and B. In drum 1, A and B are in the ratio 18 : 7. The mixtures from drums 1
and 2 are mixed in the ratio 3 : 4 and in this final mixture, A and B are in the ratio 13 : 7. In drum 2, then A and B were in the ratio
A 251 : 163
B 239 : 161
C 220 : 149
D 229 : 141
Answer: B
Video Solution
Explanation:
It is given that in drum 1, A and B are in the ratio 18 : 7.
It is given that drums 1 and 2 are mixed in the ratio 3 : 4 and in this final mixture, A and B are in the ratio 13 : 7.
By equating concentration of A
18 x
3∗ 18 + 7 +4∗ x + 1
13
⇒ 3+4 = 13 +7
54 4x 91
⇒ 25 + x + 1 = 20
4x 239
⇒ x + 1 = 100
239
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239
⇒ x = 161
239
Therefore, we can say that in drum 2, A and B are in the ratio 161 : 1 or 239 : 161.
Question 14
The strength of a salt solution is p% if 100 ml of the solution contains p grams of salt. If three salt solutions A, B, C are mixed in the
proportion 1 : 2 : 3, then the resulting solution has strength 20%. If instead the proportion is 3 : 2 : 1, then the resulting solution has
strength 30%. A fourth solution, D, is produced by mixing B and C in the ratio 2 : 7. The ratio of the strength of D to that of A is
A 3 : 10
B 1:3
C 1:4
D 2:5
Answer: B
Video Solution
Explanation:
Let 'a', 'b' and 'c' be the concentration of salt in solutions A, B and C respectively.
It is given that three salt solutions A, B, C are mixed in the proportion 1 : 2 : 3, then the resulting solution has strength 20%.
a + 2b + 3c
⇒ 1 + 2 + 3 = 20
⇒ b + 2c = 45
⇒ b = 45 − 2c
Also, on subtracting (1) from (2), we get
a − c = 30
⇒ a = 30 + c
In solution D, B and C are mixed in the ratio 2 : 7
2b + 7c 90 − 4c + 7c 90 + 3c
So, the concentration of salt in D = 9 = 9 = 9
90 + 3c 90 + 3c
Required ratio = 9a = 9(30 + c) = 1 : 3
Question 15
A chemist mixes two liquids 1 and 2. One litre of liquid 1 weighs 1 kg and one litre of liquid 2 weighs 800 gm. If half litre of the mixture
weighs 480 gm, then the percentage of liquid 1 in the mixture, in terms of volume, is
A 80
C 85
D 75
Answer: A
Video Solution
Explanation:
The weight/volume(g/L) for liquid 1 = 1000
Using alligation the ratio of liquid 1 and liquid 2 in the mixture = (960-800)/(1000-960) = 160/40 = 4:1
An alloy is prepared by mixing three metals A, B and C in the proportion 3 : 4 : 7 by volume. Weights of the same volume of the metals
A. B and C are in the ratio 5 : 2 : 6. In 130 kg of the alloy, the weight, in kg. of the metal C is
A 48
B 84
C 70
D 96
Answer: B
Video Solution
Explanation:
Let the volume of Metals A,B,C we 3x, 4x, 7x
Question 17
Two alcohol solutions, A and B, are mixed in the proportion 1:3 by volume. The volume of the mixture is then doubled by adding
solution A such that the resulting mixture has 72% alcohol. If solution A has 60% alcohol, then the percentage of alcohol in solution B is
A 90%
B 94%
C 92%
D 89%
Answer: C
Video Solution
The volume of the mixture is doubled by adding A(60% alcohol) i.e they are mixed in 1:1 ratio and the resultant mixture has 72% alcohol.
=> x= 92%
Question 18
The strength of an indigo solution in percentage is equal to the amount of indigo in grams per 100 cc of water. Two 800 cc bottles are
filled with indigo solutions of strengths 33% and 17%, respectively. A part of the solution from the first bottle is thrown away and
replaced by an equal volume of the solution from the second bottle. If the strength of the indigo solution in the first bottle has now
changed to 21% then the volume, in cc, of the solution left in the second bottle is
Answer:200
Video Solution
Explanation:
Let Bottle A have an indigo solution of strength 33% while Bottle B have an indigo solution of strength 17%.
A 21−17 4 1
The ratio in which we mix these two solutions to obtain a resultant solution of strength 21% : B = 33−21 = 12 or 3
Hence, three parts of the solution from Bottle B is mixed with one part of the solution from Bottle A. For this process to happen, we need
to displace 600 cc of solution from Bottle A and replace it with 600 cc of solution from Bottle B {since both bottles have 800 cc, three
parts of this volume = 600cc}.As a result, 200 cc of the solution remains in Bottle B.
A person buys tea of three different qualities at ₹ 800, ₹ 500, and ₹ 300 per kg, respectively, and the amounts bought are in the
proportion 2 : 3 : 5. She mixes all the tea and sells one-sixth of the mixture at ₹ 700 per kg. The price, in INR per kg, at which she
should sell the remaining tea, to make an overall profit of 50%, is
A 653
B 688
C 692
D 675
Answer: B
Video Solution
Explanation:
Considering the three kinds of tea are A, B, and C.
Selling 1/6 which is 10kg for Rs 700/kg the revenue earned is Rs 7000.
Hence he must sell the remaining 50 kg mixture for Rs 41400 - Rs 7000 = 34400.
Question 20
If a certain weight of an alloy of silver and copper is mixed with 3 kg of pure silver, the resulting alloy will have 90% silver by weight. If
the same weight of the initial alloy is mixed with 2 kg of another alloy which has 90% silver by weight, the resulting alloy will have 84%
silver by weight. Then, the weight of the initial alloy, in kg, is
A 3.5
B 2.5
C 3
D 4
Answer: C
Video Solution
Explanation:
Let the alloy contain x Kg silver and y kg copper
Now when mixed with 3Kg Pure silver
(x+3 ) 9
we get x+y+3 = 10
we get 10x+30 =9x+9y+27
9y-x=3 (1)
Now as per condition 2
silver in 2nd alloy = 2(0.9) =1.8
(x+1.8 ) 21
so we get x+y+2 = 25
we get 21y-4x =3 (2)
solving (1) and (2) we get y= 0.6 and x =2.4
so x+y = 3