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Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisVery hardRatio of a combined mixture

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

Mixture A is sand and cement in the ratio 3 : 2 by mass. Mixture B is sand and cement in the ratio 1 : 1. If 10 kilograms of A are combined with 6 kilograms of B, what is the ratio of sand to cement in the combined mixture?

Answer: 9/7

A contributes 6 kg sand and 4 kg cement; B contributes 3 kg of each. Together: 9 kg sand to 7 kg cement, a ratio of 9 : 7.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 4/3
4/3 adds the ratio parts (3 + 1) : (2 + 1) without weighting by mass.
If you answered 5/3
5/3 is 10 : 6, the ratio of the mixture masses.
If you answered 3/2
3/2 is mixture A's ratio alone.

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