Alligations and Mixture Formulas

Formulas For Alligation And Mixture

A mixture, as the name suggests is mixing two or more things together and alligation enables us
to find the ratio in which the ingredients/ things have been mixed to form the mixutre.

The most fundamental point to remember while solving mixtures and alligations is that alligation
is a way to find the mean value of mixture when the ratio and amount of the ingredients mixed
are different and also to find the proportion in which the elements are mixed.

NoteThe Alligation and Mixture Formulas can be applied to any topic like mixtures, profit and loss,
simple interest, time and distance, percentage, etc.
Alligation and Mixture Formulas to Solve Question:

What is an Alligation?

When two ingredients X and Y of price p and q respectively are mixed together, such that the
price of the resultant mixture is M (mean price), then the ratio (R) in which ingredients are mixed
is given by, the rule of the alligation.

(Cheaper quantity) : (Dearer quantity) = (d – m) : (m – c)

What is a Mixture?

In a mixture, two or more ingredients are mixed together to get a desired quantity. The
quantity can be expressed as ratio or percentage.

For example: When two varieties of sugar are mixed to form a new variety of sugar then it is
called as a mixture.

What is a Mean Price?

The cost of a unit quantity of the mixture is called the mean price.

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Formulas to Solve Mixture and Alligations

Alligation and Mixture Formulas 1

When two commodities are mixed then ,

Alligation and Mixture Formulas 2

Consider a container contain x unit of liquid A from which y units are taken out and replaced by
water. This operation is repeated n number of times, then the quantity of pure liquid will be given
by the formula:

Quantity= [x–(1–(YX)n]unitsQuantity= [x–(1–(XY)n]units

Therefore, (Cheaper Commodity) : (Dearer Commodity) = (d – m) : (m-c)

Alligation and Mixture Formulas 3

Calculate quantity of pure Liquid after ‘n’ successive operations,

If a container contains ‘x’ units of pure liquid , and we replace the liquid with ‘y’ units of water ,

Then after ‘n’ successive operations, the units of pure liquid left is ,

After n operations, the quantity of pure liquid 1 y

x n units.
= — x
Criss-Cross Method
Some aspirants use the above method in different format, which we call criss-cross method.
Below is the format:

The working is, we take the positive difference of mean price and cheaper price and write the
difference in the place of Quantity of dearer price. Similarly, take the positive difference of mean
price and dearer price and write the difference in the place of Quantity of cheaper price.

Rule of Constant

There are another types of questions on mixtures and alligation where the quantity of one
element in the mixture does not change while adding another element to the first mixture. For
such questions, I recommend an alternate method of using the rule of constant to get to the
answer. The concept uses the simple understanding of percentages. Let us learn it with the help
of an example.

Method 1: School textbook approach

We assume that the quantity of water added to be x litres. The quantity of milk in the existing
solution is 30% of 40 = 12 litres, with the addition of water, the quantity of new solution becomes
(40 + x) litres. As per the problem, the percentage of milk in new solution should be 15 %. we will
get x = 40.
Method 2: Rule of Alligation.

We assume that the two solutions of milk and water are added to get the new solution and apply
the approach we used in Example 3.

Taking milk as the common element in both the solutions, we have 30% milk in first and 0% milk
in the second solution (i.e. pure water). On mixing them, we got 15% milk in the final solution.
Therefore,

Or the ratio of the quantity of first and second solution should be 15:15 = 1:1

Hence, 40 litres of pure water should be mixed to get the desired new solution.

Method 3: Rule of Constant

In this rule, we target the element in the mixture whose amount does not change but its
percentage changes because of the change in the total amount of the mixture.

As we calculated above, the quantity of milk in the first solution is 12 litres, and it will remain
same in the new solution as well. That is,

12 liters = 30% of the first solution =15% of the new solution

Question 1 :

A and B are two alloys of iron and silver prepared by mixing metals in the ratio 4 : 5
and 7 : 5 respectively. If equal quantities of alloys are melted to form a third alloy C,
the ratio of iron to silver in C is

Solution :
In alloy A, the ratio of iron to Silver=4:5, 5+4=9

In alloy B, the ratio of iron to Silver=7:5, 7+5=12, as the amount to be mixed.

So take the LCM of 9 and 12. hence, we mix 36 gm of A and 36 gm of B.

(the reason for choosing LCM as the amount is to simplify calculations.)

For a: amount of iron=49×36=1694×36=16 and amount of silver 59×36=2095×36=20

For B: amount of iron=712×36=21127×36=21 and amount of silver=512×36=15125

×36=15

Hence, Total amount of iron=16+21=37

Total amount of silver=20+15=35

Hence, Final ratio of iron to Silver in the mix of two alloys= 37:35

Question 2 :

Mixture of alcohol and water contains 35% of alcohol by volume. Then, 40 ml of water
is added to such a mixture of 100 ml. The percentage of alcohol in the new mixture is?

Solution :

Here percentage alcohol in the mixture is to be found out. So, the quantity of
alcoholis kept as numerator
AlcoholMixture=qqa+qw=0.35×100100+40=35140MixtureAlcohol=qa+qw
q=100+400.35×100=14035
(since 40 ml water is added

Quantity of mixture=100+40).

% alcohol = 35140×10014035×100=25%
the mixture contains 20% alcohol.

Question 3 :

Two containers of equal volume contains milk and water in the ratio 3: 5
and 5: 3, respectively. If the contents of both containers are emptied into
a third one, what would be the ratio of milk to water in that container?
Solution :
Let the volume of both the container b x units each. Thus, the first container would
contain 38x83x units of milk and 58x85x units of water, whereas the second
container would contain 58x85xunits of milk and 38x83x units of water. When the
content of both are empty into a third one it would have,

Milk (38x)+(58x)(83x)+(85x) …(1)

And water (58x)+(38x)(85x)+(83x) ….(2)

Thus, the required ratio. x:x = 1 : 1

Question 4 :

From two ornament Weighing 18 gram and 24 gram containing gold and silver in the
ratio of 2: 1 and 5: 1 respectively, a new ornament is made. What is the amount of
gold in the new ornament?

Solution :

from the first ornament, gold = 23×18=1232×18=12

From the second ornament gold= 56×24=2065×24=20

Thus, total gold=32 gm.

Question 5 :

A sum of money is sufficient to pay Sachin’s salary of 45 days and kale’s salary for 60
days. For how many days can the sum pay the salary of both?

Solution:

Sachin’s salary for one day = 1/45th of the sum of money.

For kale’s salary for one day = 1/60 of the sum of money.

=> (Sachin + kale)’s salary for one day= 1/45+1/60=7/180th of the sum.

Hence, when they both work together, the sun will last for 180/7 days.

How To Solve Alligation And Mixtures

Questions Quickly
How to solve Alligation and Mixtures
Questions Quickly
How To Solve Alligation And Mixtures Questions Quickly via latest methods, formulae is discussed
on this page along with few variety of questions.

What is Alligation?The rule of alligation help to find the ratio in which two or more variety of
ingredients of a given price must be mixed to produce a mixture of desired [Link] is a rule for the
solution of problems concerning the compounding or mixing of ingredients

What is Mixture?A mixture contains two or more commodities of certain quantity mixed together
to get the desired quantity.

What is called Mean Price?The cost of a unit quantity of the mixture is called the mean price.
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Type 1 : How to Solve Alligation and Mixtures Questions Quickly (When two quantities
are mixed then)

( Quantity of Cheaper Quantity of dearer )=( C.P of Dearer (d) – Mean price (m)
Mean price(m) – C.P. of cheaper(c) )( Quantity of dearer Quantity of Cheaper )=( Mean price(m) –
C.P. of cheaper(c) C.P of Dearer (d) – Mean price (m))

Therefore, (Cheaper Quantity) : (Dearer Quantity) = (d – m) : (m-c)

How to solve Alligation and Mixtures Questions quickly Ques 1

Calculate the average price of the resulting mixture when two variety of sugar at ₹12
per Kg and ₹15 per Kg are mixed in the ratio of 2:3.

Solution:

Let average price be Aw

23=(15−Aw)(Aw−12)32=(Aw−12)(15−Aw)

2Aw-24 = 45-3Aw

5Aw = 69
Aw = 69/5 = ₹13.8 per Kg

How to solve Alligation and Mixtures Questions quickly Ques 1

Two varieties of rice are in the ratio of 3:2 such that the average price of the resulting
mixture is ₹15 per Kg. The price of one of the varieties is ₹10 per Kg. Find the price of
the other variety of rice.

Solution:

Let Price of another variety is A2A2

32=(A2−15)(15−10)23=(15−10)(A2−15)
15=2A2−3015=2A2−30
452=A2245=A2
A2 = ₹22.5 per Kg

How to solve Alligation and Mixtures Questions quickly Ques 1

Two varieties of tea are mixed in some ratio. The cost of the first variety is ₹20 per Kg
and that of second variety is ₹30 per Kg. If the average cost of the resulting mixture is
₹25 per Kg, find the ratio.

Solution:

xy=(30−25)(25−20)yx=(25−20)(30−25)

xy= 55=1:1yx= 55=1:1

Type 2 : How to Solve Alligation and Mixtures Questions Quickly (when there is
process of replacement)

If a container has x unit of liquid A from which y units are taken out and replaced by
water. This process is repeated n number of time, then the quantity of pure liquid will
be given by:

After n operations, the quantity of pure liquid = (x(1–yx)n)(x(1–xy)n)

Question 1

A 420L of the mixture contains pure milk and water in the ratio of 2:5. Now 80 L of
water is added to the mixture. Calculate the ratio of milk and water in the resulting
mixture.
Solution:

The quantity of milk in initial mixture =

27×420=120 L72×420=120 L

Quantity of water = 420-120 = 300L

Water added = 80L

Concentration of water in the resulting mixture = 300 + 80 = 380L

The ratio of the resulting mixture 120/380 = 6:19.

Question 2

A milkman mixes 30L of water in 90L of milk. He then sells 1/4th of this mixture. Now
he adds water to replenish the quantity of milk sold. Find the current proportion of
milk and water.

Solution:

The initial ratio of milk and water = 90:30 = 3:1

Now, 1/4th of the mixture is sold, that is the total volume of the mixture is reduced by 25%.

In other words, both water and milk are reduced by 25%.

So, the volume of milk and water is 67.5L and 22.5 respectively.

Now, 30L (25% of the total mixture volume) of water is added to the mixture.

The volume of milk = 67.5L

Volume of water = 22.5+30= 52.5L

Current ratio = 67.5/52.5 = 9:7

Question 3

A 20 litres mixture of milk and water contains milk and water in the ratio 3 : 2. 10
litres of the mixture is removed and replaced with pure milk and the operation is
repeated once more. At the end of the two removal and replacement, what is the ratio
of milk and water in the resultant mixture?
Solution:

In 20 liters of mixture

Milk =

35×20=12 L53×20=12 L

Water = 8 litres

In 10 liters of mixture.

Milk = 6 liters

Water = 4 litres

On adding 10 liters of milk,

Milk = 12 – 6 + 10 = 16 L

Water = 8 – 4 = 4 L

Again. in 10 liters of mixture,

Milk = 4/5 * 10 = 8 L

Water = 2 litres
On adding 10 litres of milk,

Milk =16 – 8 + 10 = 18 litres

Water = 2 litres

Therefore, Required ratio = 18 : 2 = 9 : 1

Question 4

Cost of two types of pulses is Rs.15 and Rs, 20 per kg, respectively. If
both the pulses are mixed together in the ratio 2:3, then what should be
the price of mixed variety of pulses per kg?

Solution:

Let the cost of mixed variety of pulse be Rs. x

As per the alligation rule,

2:3 = (20-x) : (x-15)

⇒ 2x+3x = 60+30

⇒ 5x = 90

⇒ x = 18

Question 5

A container contains 40 litres of milk. From this container 4 litres of milk

was taken out and replaced by water. This process was repeated further
two times. How much milk is now contained by the container?

Solution:

Amount of milk left after 3 operations = [40(1−440)3]litres[40(1−404

)3]litres

(40×910×910×910)(40×109×109×109) = 29.16 litres

Tips And Tricks And Shortcuts For Alligation

And Mixtures
Tips And Tricks For Alligation And Mixtures
Tips and Tricks for Alligation and Mixtures will be discussed on this page for solution of problems
regarding the mixing of ingredients in a shortcut way.

MixtureIt is the process of mixing two or more elements/ingredients together.

AlligationIt is a process or a rule that tells us how to mix two or more ingredients/mixtures to get
the desired mixture of a certain price & concentration.
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Tips and Tricks and Shortcuts Alligations and Mixtures:-

Type 1. Tips and Tricks for Alligation and Mixtures

In most of these questions , you are supposed to find the ratio , or any one of the values either
M(mean price) , or C(C.P of cheaper) or D(C.P of dearer) where the other two values and the ratio
is given.

To find that , we have the best trick for you.

When two commodities are mixed then,

( Quantity of Cheaper Quantity of dearer )=( C.P of Dearer (d) – Mean price (m)
Mean price(m) – C.P. of cheaper(c) )( Quantity of dearer Quantity of Cheaper )=( Mean price(m) –
C.P. of cheaper(c) C.P of Dearer (d) – Mean price (m))

This equation can also be developed using the pictorial diagram.

Question 1:

Two varieties of wheat are mixed in the ratio of 4:5. The price of the mixture is ₹15
per Kg. The price of the variety having lesser weight is ₹12 per Kg. Calculate the price
of the other variety.

Solution:

First of all we will identify and substitute the values in the diagram

Now substituting this in the formula

( Quantity of Cheaper Quantity of dearer )=( C.P of Dearer (d) – Mean price (m)
Mean price(m) – C.P. of cheaper(c) )( Quantity of dearer Quantity of Cheaper )=( Mean price(m) –
C.P. of cheaper(c) C.P of Dearer (d) – Mean price (m))

45=(N–15)(15–12)54=(15–12)(N–15)
45=N–15354=3N–15
So , 5N – 75 = 12

N = Rs. 17.4 per Kg

Type 2: Shortcuts, Tips and Tricks for Alligation and Mixtures

Calculate quantity of pure Liquid after ‘n’ successive operations:

If a Container contains ‘x’ units of pure liquid , and we replace the liquid with ‘y’ units of water :

Then after ‘n’ successive operations, the units of pure liquid left is

(x(1–yx)n)(x(1–xy)n)

Below is an example to explain this concept.

Question 2:

A vessel contains 60L of milk, out of which 15L litres of milk is taken out and replaced
by water. This process is repeated two times. Find the amount of milk left in the
container.

Solution:

From the question we have ,

Total Milk (x) = 60L

Milk taken out in one round (y) = 15L

No. of rounds (N) = 2

So , Using the above formula ,

Amount of milk left in the container

=(x(1–yx)n)(x(1–xy)n)

=(60(1–1560)2)(60(1–6015)2)

=(60(34)2)(60(43)2)

Solving this we get the answer as 33.75L

Question 3:
A dealer has 1000 kg sugar and he sells a part of it at 8% profit and the
rest of it at 18% profit. The overall profit he earns is 14%. What is the
quantity which is sold at 18% profit?

Solution :

As per the rule of alligation,

Quantity of Dearer: Quantity of Cheaper = (18-14) : (14-8) = 4:6 = 2:3

Quantity of sugar sold at 18% profit = 3/5 × 1000 = 600kg

Question 4 :

How much coffee of variety A, costing Rs. 5 a kg should be added to 20 kg

of Type B coffee at Rs. 12 a kg so that the cost of the two coffee variety
mixture be worth Rs. 7 a kg?

Solution :

As per the rule of alligation,

Quantity of Dearer: Quantity of Cheaper = (12-7) : (7-5) = 5:2

Quantity of Variety A coffee that needs to be mixed ⇒ 5:2 = x:20

⇒ x =50 kg

Question 5 :

A mixture of 20 kg of water and spirit contains 10% water. How much

water must be added to this mixture to raise the percentage of water to
25%?

Solution :
Water = (10100)×100=2(10010)×100=2 and spirit = 18kg.

In the second mixture:

75 kg spirit is contained in a mixture of 100 kg

18 kg spirit is contained in a mixture of (10075)×18=24kg(75100)×18=24kg

So, water to be added=24-20=4 kg

Alligations and Mixtures Questions and

Answers
Alligations and Mixtures Questions
Alligation and Mixtures Questions and Answers are provided on this page for students to practice
and get an idea how this topic is asked in the exam.
Alligation is the process which allows us to identify the proportion in which the numerous
ingredients must be mixed at the specified price in order to create a mixture at a given price.

Alligation MethodsAlligation Medial which is used to calculate the quantity of a mixture.

Alligation Alternate which is used to calculate the quantity of each ingredient required to produce
a mixture.
Alligation and Mixture Rules

 If two different ingredients are assorted in a proportion, then

 ( Quantity of cheaper)( Quantity of dearer)=([Link])−(MeanPrice)

(MeanPrice)−([Link])( Quantity of dearer)( Quantity of cheaper)=(MeanPrice)−
([Link])([Link])−(MeanPrice)

 Furthermore, it can be presented as:

 (Cheaper quantity): (dearer quantity) = (d – m): (m – c)

 Repeated Dilution: If a barrel contains ‘a’ units of liquid out of which ‘b’ units are

removed and substituted by water. Then, after ‘n’ processes, the amount of liquid,

=[x(1–y/x)n]units=[x(1–y/x)n]units

 Furthermore, it is used to analyze the quantity of pure liquid left after ‘n’ number of

procedures of constant substitution is prepared on the pure quantity.

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How to Solve Alligations and Mixtures Questions Quickly
Alligation and Mixtures Formulas Topic
Alligations and Mixtures tips, tricks and shortcuts
Practice Alligation and Mixtures
Questions
1. A cheater shopkeeper confesses to sell his pulses at cost price but he mixes it
with pebbles and thereby gains 25%. The percentage of pebbles in the mixture is:
As per the formula if two materials are mixed, then

Quantity of Cheaper Quantity of Dearer = C.P of dearer - Mean Price Mean Pric
e - C.P. of cheaper Quantity of Dearer Quantity of Cheaper = Mean Price - C.P. of cheaper C.P of dearer -
Mean Price

Let C.P. of 1 kg pulse be Re. 1

Then, Selling Price of 1 kg of mixture = Re. 1, Gain = 25%.

C.P of 1kg mixture = Re100125×1=45Re125100×1=54

By the rule of allegation, we have:

Ratio of pulse to pebble = 45:15=[Link]=4:1

Therefor, % of pebble in the mixture =15×100%=20%51×100%=20%

2. A vessel comprises 100 litres of fresh juice. Out of this vessel 12 litres of juice
was pulled out and changed by water. This whole process was done two more
times. Now calculate the quantity of fresh juice contained by the vessel?

Amount of fresh juice left after 3 times = 100(1−12100)100(1−10012) 3 times

=100×2225×2225×2225=100×2522×2522×2522= 68.14 litres

3. Sugar cost INR 130 per kilogram and INR 139 per kilogram are combined along a
new type in the ratio 1 : 1 : 2. If the combination is cost Rs. 163 kilogram, then find
out the price of the new type per kilogram ?

Since first and second types are mixed in equal proportions.

So, their average price = Rs130+1392=134.50Rs2130+139=134.50

So, the combination is made by mixing two types, one at Rs. 134.50 per kg and another one at
INR x in the ratio 1 : 1. We have to find x.

As per the law of allegation:

x−16328.50=128.50x−163=1

x−163=28.50x−163=28.50

x=191.50

4. A deals in two types of black-eyed peas. Each costing INR 14 and INR 21 per kg.
What ratio should the both types be mixed to get a combination worth INR18.50 per
kg.
According to the rule of allegation:

Required rate = (21 - 18.50) : (18.50 - 14)

Price of second black-eyed peas-mean price: Mean price-cost of first black-eyed peas

2.50 : 4.50 = 5 : 9.

5. A vessel is filled with liquid, 3 parts of which are water and 5 parts syrup. How
much of the mixture must be drawn off and replaced with water so that the mixture
may be half water and half syrup?

Given:

A vessel is filled with liquid, 3 parts of which are water and 5 parts syrup.

Explanation:

3 parts water and 5 parts syrup.

So water = 3/8 and syrup = 5/8

To make them equal,

Skill Academy

4/8 of water and syrup should be there

Let x be the amount of liquid we replace by water,

Water = 3x/8 and Syrup = 5x/8

Now,

Water before replacement + 5x/8= syrup before replacement - 5x/8

=> syrup-water(before replacement) = 10x/8 5x/4

=> 5/8 part-3/8 part = 5x/4

=>1/4 part = 5x/4

⇒x=1/5

So, 1/5 of the mixture must be drawn off and replaced with water so that the mixture may be half
water and half syrup.

6. Two jugs X and Y having coca cola and water mixed in the proportion 5: 2 and 7:
6 respectively. Now if we want a new mixture in jug Z having coca cola and water in
the proportion of 8:5 then what will be the ratio?

Let P unit of the first mixture is added to Q unit of the second mixture.
So, in P unit of first mixture,
Amount of milk present = 5/7 * P = 5P/7
Amount of water present = 2/7 * P = 2P/7
So, in Q unit of second mixture,
Amount of milk present = 7/13 * Q = 7Q/13
Amount of water present = 6/13 * Q = 5Q/13
According to the question,
(5P/7 + 7Q/13) ÷ (2P/7 + 6Q/13) = 8/5
→ (33P+30Q)55:(22P+25Q)5555(33P+30Q):55(22P+25Q) = 8/5
⇒ 325P + 245Q = 208P + 336Q
⇒ 117P = 91Q
⇒P: Q = 91:117 = 7:9

7. In what proportion must kerosene be mixed with petrol to earn 16(2/3)% if we sell
the combination at cost price?

Assume price of 1 litre petrol= INR 1

Selling price of 1 litre mix=1 rs.

Profit= 5/3percent

C.P. of 1 litre mix- 100×3350×1=67350×1100×3=76

Thus proportion of kerosene and petrol= 17:67=[Link]=1:6

8. A fixed amount of water is mixed with Sangria costing Rs 12 per litre. The rate of
mixture is Rs 8 per litre. Find out the proportion of water and Sangria in the new
combination.

1 litre of water C.P. = Rs 0.

1 litre of Sangria C.P. = Rs 12.

Mean Price = Rs 8.

As per the Allegation formula: (Amount of Cheaper):(Amount of Dearer) = (CP of dearer - Mean
Price):(Mean Price - CP of cheaper)

Therefore, Water: Sangria = (12-8):(8-0) = 4:8 = 1:2.

9. A pot contains 40 litres of Mint juice. 4 litres of Mint juice is replaced with Honey.
This is done two times more. Find out the quantity of Mint juice which is in the pot
now?

As per the allegation formula

=x(1−y/x)n=x(1−y/x)n units.

So, milk in the pot now =40(1−4/40)3=40(1−1/10)3 =29.16

10. A sells 3 types of mustard seeds at the price of INR 126 per kg and INR 135 per
kg and 3 variety in the ratio of 3 : 2 : 5. If the cost of the final mix is INR 155 per
rd

kg, find the rate of third type of mustard seeds.

Assume that the Third type of mustard seed quantity is X.

Then

(126×3+135×2+5×x)(3+2+5)=155(3+2+5)(126×3+135×2+5×x)=155

on solving
648 + 5x = 10 \times 155
5x = 1550-648
x=902/5
X= 180.40