There are two containers of the same volume, first container half-filled with sugar syrup and the second container half-filled with milk. Half the content of the first container is transferred to the second container, and then the half of this mixture is transferred back to the first container. Next, half the content of the first container is transferred back to the second container. Then the ratio of sugar syrup and milk in the second container is
There are two containers of the same volume, first container half-filled with sugar syrup and the second container half-filled with milk. Half the content of the first container is transferred to the second container, and then the half of this mixture is transferred back to the first container. Next, half the content of the first container is transferred back to the second container. Then the ratio of sugar syrup and milk in the second container is
Solution
We have two identical containers doing a series of transfers. We track what happens to our sugar syrup and milk!
We say each container has volume 16x. We choose 16x because we'll be taking "half" multiple times, and 16 divides nicely: 16 → 8 → 4 → 2 → 1. This prevents messy fractions!
Initial State:
- Container 1: Half-filled with sugar syrup = 8x sugar syrup
- Container 2: Half-filled with milk = 8x milk
| Container | Sugar Syrup | Milk | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8x | 0 | 8x |
| 2nd | 0 | 8x | 8x |
Transfer 1: Half of Container 1 → Container 2
What we transfer: Half of 8x = 4x sugar syrup
| Container | Sugar Syrup | Milk | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8x - 4x = 4x | 0 | 4x |
| 2nd | 0 + 4x = 4x | 8x | 12x |
Transfer 2: Half of Container 2 → Container 1
Container 2 now has a mixture of sugar syrup and milk!
Mixture ratio in Container 2: Sugar syrup : Milk = 4x : 8x = 1 : 2
What we transfer: Half of 12x = 6x total
Since ratio is 1:2, out of every 3 parts, 1 is sugar syrup and 2 is milk
Sugar syrup transferred = 6x × = 2x
Milk transferred = 6x × = 4x
| Container | Sugar Syrup | Milk | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4x + 2x = 6x | 0 + 4x = 4x | 10x |
| 2nd | 4x - 2x = 2x | 8x - 4x = 4x | 6x |
Transfer 3: Half of Container 1 → Container 2
Mixture ratio in Container 1: Sugar syrup : Milk = 6x : 4x = 3 : 2
What we transfer: Half of 10x = 5x total
Since ratio is 3:2, out of every 5 parts, 3 is sugar syrup and 2 is milk
Sugar syrup transferred = 5x × = 3x
Milk transferred = 5x × = 2x
| Container | Sugar Syrup | Milk | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6x - 3x = 3x | 4x - 2x = 2x | 5x |
| 2nd | 2x + 3x = 5x | 4x + 2x = 6x | 11x |
Ratio of sugar syrup to milk in Container 2:
5x : 6x = 5 : 6
Key insights:
Volume Choice Strategy: Choose volumes that divide evenly to avoid fractions
Mixture Transfer Rule: When transferring from a mixture, maintain the same ratio as the source
Systematic Tracking: Use tables to avoid calculation errors in multi-step problems
This systematic approach works for any number of transfers - just keep tracking the ratios!