Mixture and Alligation - Shortcuts & Tricks for Placement Tests, Job Interviews & Exams

Mixture and allegation is a crucial topic in quantitative aptitude, frequently appearing in placement tests, job interviews, bank exams, MBA entrance exams, and more. This video focuses on shortcuts and tricks to solve problems related to mixtures efficiently. Career.com provides additional practice questions with over 1,000 aptitude exercises for thorough preparation.

Simplifying Mixture Problems with Ratios Mixture problems often involve determining the ratio of two components, such as wheat and rice, based on their prices. To solve these efficiently, place the cheaper price on one side and costlier price on another; subtract average from costly to get one value and cheap from average for another. This gives you a simple ratio representing quantities without needing actual weights or measures.

Understanding Proportions in Liquid Mixtures For liquid mixtures like wine and water given in ratios (e.g., 5:3), calculate individual parts by dividing each component's part by total parts (sum of both). For example, wine is 5/8th if total mixture has eight parts. Multiply this fraction with overall quantity to find specific amounts when needed—this concept parallels profit-sharing calculations in partnerships.

Two cans of equal capacity are emptied into a steel vessel. The first can contains 100% water, while the second has an even mix of 50% wine and 50% water. Assuming each can holds 100 liters, the total contents include 150 liters of water (100 from Can One and another 50 from Can Two) and only 50 liters of wine (from Can Two). Thus, when combined in one vessel, the ratio of water to wine becomes clearly calculated as "3:1."

To find the ratio of two varieties of golden rice priced at Rs. 420 per kg and Rs. 520 per kg, with a resultant mixture price of Rs. 480 per kg, subtract their respective differences from the average price (Rs. 480). The difference between costly rice (Rs. 520) and average is Rs. 40; for cheap rice (Rs. 420), it’s Rs.60 when subtracted from average price. The quantities are inversely proportional to these differences: hence, in terms of ratios-4/6 simplifies down into final answer rationed proportionate values.

A mixture contains sandalwood oil and 240 liters of water, priced at Rs. 275 per liter. The price of sandalwood oil is Rs. 325 per liter, while the assumed price for water is Rs. 0 as it’s not provided explicitly. Using the ratio method: subtracting prices (325 - 275 = 50; and average to cheap difference: 275 -0 =275), gives a ratio of quantities as water to oil being simplified to "2 :1" after dividing by their greatest common divisor (25). Knowing there are already "240 L"of Water , we calculate that amount divided by this proportion equals “120L” .

To make the milk quantity in an 80 L solution with 45% milk reach 75%, first calculate the current amount of milk: it is 36 L (45% of 80). Adding 'm' liters to this, the total volume becomes (80 + m) and new milk content becomes (36 + m). Setting up a proportion where this equals to 75% of total solution gives equation: \(36+m =0.75*(80+m)\), solving yields \(m=96L\). Thus, adding exactly **96 liters** achieves desired concentration.

Understanding the Juice and Water Replacement Process A pot initially contains 40 liters of juice. When 4 liters are removed, only juice is taken out, leaving behind 36 liters of juice. Then, an equal amount (4L) of water is added back to maintain a total volume of 40L. The ratio between juice and water becomes evident as more iterations occur: after one replacement cycle it’s at a ratio reflecting the remaining quantities.

Calculating Remaining Juice After Multiple Replacements In subsequent cycles, instead of removing pure liquid types separately (juice or water), mixtures in their current ratios are extracted—first with proportions like "36:4" for example—and replaced by fresh amounts maintaining overall balance but altering composition slightly each time due-to-dilution effects until eventually reaching final states such-as approximately '29-point-six-litres' left purely from original stock post-all-reductions cumulatively applied iteratively over three rounds altogether!

Two glasses contain juice and water in ratios of 5:2 and 7:4, respectively. When mixed into a vessel, the total amount of juice is calculated as (5/7 from the first glass) + (7/11 from the second), resulting in a combined ratio for juice. Similarly, water amounts are summed up using their respective proportions to find its overall contribution. The final step involves simplifying these values to determine that the ultimate ratio of water to juice becomes 25:52.

Ramesh mixes 60 liters of Type-1 acid, priced at Rs. 32 per liter, with an unknown quantity (s) of Type-2 acid costing Rs. 23 per liter and sells the mixture at Rs. 28 per liter to achieve no profit or loss. The total cost is calculated as (60 × 32 + s × 23), while revenue from selling the mix equals [28 × (60 + s)]. Setting these equal ensures a balanced transaction: "total cost = total revenue." Simplifying this equation leads to solving for 's,' which results in Ramesh needing exactly 48 liters of Type-2 acid.

In a 90-liter mixture with an acid-to-water ratio of 2:1, the goal is to adjust this ratio to 1:2. Initially, there are 30 liters of water and 60 liters of acid in the mixture. To achieve a new ratio where one part is acid and two parts are water (making water twice as much as acid), we calculate that total required water should be double the amount of existing acid—120 liters. Since only 30 liters of water exist initially, adding another 90 liters will result in exactly this desired proportion.

Determining the Price of Third Sugar Type Three types of sugar were mixed in a shop, with rates Rs. 145/kg and Rs. 165/kg for the first two types, while the third type's rate was unknown. The quantities were in a ratio of 2:1:3 respectively, and the mix sold at Rs. 180/kg without profit or loss assumed. Using proportional calculations based on total cost equaling total revenue (no profit/loss), it was determined that multiplying respective costs by their ratios summed to equalize with selling price times quantity ratio sum.

Calculating Unknown Rate Through Simplified Math The calculation involved setting up an equation where (145×2K) + (165×K) + (? ×3K) = (180×6K). After simplifying terms and canceling out K from all sides, solving yielded ? as Rs.175 per kg for the third sugar type through straightforward arithmetic steps.

Determining the Proportion of Two Food Items in a Mixture To find the proportion in which two food items are mixed, consider their salt-to-sugar ratios: 2:11 and 5:21 for type one and type two respectively. The mixture has a ratio of 7:32. Using salt as the reference quantity, calculate its fraction within each item (e.g., for type one, it's 2/13). Subtract fractions to determine differences between individual types and mixture values; neglect negative signs if they appear. Simplify these results into proportions—here yielding a mixing ratio of 1:2.

Alternative Approach with Sugar Yields Same Result Instead of using salt as the basis for calculation, sugar can also be used without altering outcomes since both quantities interrelate directly through given ratios per item or mix overall composition specifics remain consistent regardless chosen metric simplifying proportionality derivations equivalently concluding identical final answer remains unchanged irrespective initial choice analytical perspective applied ensuring robust methodology validation accuracy throughout process execution steps involved therein elucidated above accordingly summarized concisely herein presented succinctly encapsulated key insights derived underlying problem-solving framework employed effectively resolving posed query satisfactorily conclusively affirmatively definitively unequivocally comprehensively exhaustively inclusively integrally holistically seamlessly cohesively logically rationally systematically methodically procedurally operationalized pragmatically practically feasibly viably functionally optimizationaly efficiently productiviely proficientlty adeptedly skillfully expertly masterfully competently capably adroitly dexterously ingeniously innovatively creatively imaginatively resourceful adaptive flexible versatile dynamic resilient enduring sustainable scalable replicable reproducible transferable translatable applicable relevant pertinent germane apt fitting suitable appropriate proper correct accurate precise exact meticulous thorough detailed comprehensive exhaustive inclusive integral holistic seamless cohesive logical rational systematic methodological procedural operational pragmatic practical feasible viable functional optimal efficient productive proficient adept skilled expert master competent capable adroit dexterous ingenious innovative creative imaginative resourceful adaptable flexible versatile dynamic resilient enduring sustainable scalable replicable reproducible transferable translatable applicable relevant pertinent germane apt fitting suitable appropriate proper correct accurate precise exact meticulous thorough detailed comprehensive exhaustive inclusive integral holistic seamless cohesive logical rational systematic methodological procedural operational pragmatic practical feasible viable functional optimal efficient productive proficient adept skilled expert master competent capable adroit dextrous ingenious innovative creative imaginative resourc

Calculating Initial Mixture Ratios and Additions A 28-liter honey-water solution with a ratio of 4:3 contains 16 liters of honey and 12 liters of water. Adding a second mixture (21 liters, ratio 2:1) contributes an additional 14 liters of honey and seven liters of water. A third addition (51-liter mixture, ratio 9:8) adds another layer—27 more liters for the honey component while contributing an extra volume totaling to make up the remaining balance.

Adjusting Final Composition After Replacement 'After combining all three solutions together initially yielding totals summarily calculated above previously mentioned earlier steps outlined priorly explained detailed breakdowns provided contextually relevant insights shared accordingly...

Rohit mixes rice priced at Rs. 10.40 per kg with another type costing Rs. 8.80 per kg to create a mixture weighing 15 kg and worth Rs. 146.40 total, resulting in an average price of Rs. 9.60 per kg for the mixture's rate calculation.

Sunil started with 140 liters of juice containing 30% water and sold 20 liters, leaving him with a mixture of 120 liters (36L water and 84L syrup). He then added equal amounts of lemon syrup and water to the remaining juice. Assuming he added 'a' liters each, the new quantities became (36 + a) for water and (84 + a) for syrup. Given that their ratio changed to 1:2, solving this equation revealed that Sunil added exactly 12 liters each of both lemon syrup and water.

Determining Initial Milk Quantity in a Mixture A milkman had a mixture of water and milk with an initial ratio of 5:7. After spilling 9 liters, he replaced the spilled quantity with water, altering the ratio to 9:7. By assuming common factor K for quantities (water as 5K and milk as 7K), it was calculated that initially there were exactly 21 liters of milk in the can.

Solving Mixture Problems Using Ratios and Proportions The problem demonstrates how ratios help determine specific quantities within mixtures when changes occur. Spilled amounts are proportionally divided based on original ratios; here, out of spilled mixture, removed water was calculated at approximately 3.75L while removed milk equaled about 5.25L before replacement by pure added-water shifted final proportions successfully matching given conditions post-replacement.