A merchant has coffee worth $5 a pound that she wishes to mix with 70 pounds of coffee worth $8 a pound to get a mixture that can be sold for $7 a pound. How many pounds of the $5 coffee
Should be used?
A)52.5 lb
B)17.5 lb
C)35 lb
D)105 lb

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To achieve a mixture that sells for $7 per pound, the merchant needs to find a balance between the $5 coffee and the $8 coffee. Using the equation for the weighted average, $5x + 8(70) = 7(x + 70)$, where $x$ is the amount of $5 coffee needed. Solving for $x$ gives $x = 35$, meaning 35 pounds of the $5 coffee should be used.

A Merchant Has Coffee Worth $5 a Pound That She