An alloy with a mass of 3.9 kg consists of copper, zinc, nickel. The mass of copper is equal to the mass of zinc
An alloy with a mass of 3.9 kg consists of copper, zinc, nickel. The mass of copper is equal to the mass of zinc, and the mass of nickel is 0.6 kg less than the mass of copper. How many kg of nickel is in the alloy?
The solution of the problem:
Let’s solve problems using an equation with one unknown.
1. Let’s denote the mass of copper in the alloy through x kilogram.
2. The mass of zinc in the alloy is equal to the mass of copper and is equal to x kilogram.
3. Find out what is the mass of nickel in the alloy.
(x-0.6) kilogram.
4. Let’s compose and solve the equation:
x + x + (x-0.6) = 3.9.
x + x + x-0.6 = 3.9.
x + x + x = 3.9 + 0.6.
3x = 4.5.
x = 4.5 / 3.
x = 1.5.
5. The mass of copper in the alloy is x = 1.5 kilograms.
6. The mass of zinc in the alloy is x = 1.5 kilograms.
7. The mass of nickel is x-0.6 = 1.5-0.6 = 0.9 kilograms.
Answer: The alloy contains 0.9 kilograms of nickel.