Need help with this mixture and ratio question. Not getting the right percentage.?

Question

Anil mixes cocoa with sugar in the ratio 3 : 2 to prepare mixture A, and coffee with sugar in the ratio 7 : 3 to prepare mixture B. He combines mixtures A and B in the ratio 2 : 3 to make a new mixture C. If he mixes C with an equal amount of milk to make a drink, then the percentage of sugar in this drink will be

A. 21
B. 24
C.16
D. 17

A. 21 
B. 24
C.16
D. 17

V Gupta · Accepted Answer

Faced a similar doubt here too. The trick is to use assumed weights and work step by step.

Mix A and B in 2:3,  take 20 kg of A and 30 kg of B
Mixture A has cocoa:sugar = 3:2, sugar in 20 kg = 8 kg
Mixture B has coffee:sugar = 7:3,  sugar in 30 kg = 9 kg
Total sugar in 50 kg of mixture C = 8 + 9 = 17 kg
Mix this 50 kg with 50 kg of milk,  total drink = 100 kg
Sugar in drink = 17 kg
So sugar percentage = 17/100 &times; 100 = 17%

Answer is 17, Option D. Always assume simple values when dealing with ratios. It makes the question much easier to handle.

T Ronak · Answer

This question needs you to assume values to make the ratios easy to work with. The mixture of A and B is in the ratio 2:3, so take 20 kg of A and 30 kg of B ,  that gives 50 kg of mixture C.
Mixture A is in the ratio 3:2, which means 3 parts cocoa, 2 parts sugar. So in 20 kg of A, sugar = (2/5) &times; 20 = 8 kg.
Mixture B is in the ratio 7:3 , coffee and sugar. So in 30 kg of B, sugar = (3/10) &times; 30 = 9 kg. Add both: total sugar in 50 kg of C = 8 + 9 = 17 kg.
Now mixture C (50 kg) is mixed with 50 kg milk, total = 100 kg. Sugar = 17 kg, so percentage = (17/100) &times; 100 = 17% Correct answer is Option D.