Three types of pepper, K, L and M come in containers of 150 g, 250 g and 400 g respectively. Containers of K, L and M are mixed together in the ratio 2 : 3 : 5 to obtain 18.3 kg of an assortment of pepper.

1. How many containers of K and L are used altogether?
2. Find the difference between the combined weight of all the pepper in containers L and containers M as compared to the pepper in containers K. Express the weight in kilograms.

	K	L	M
Number	2 u	3 u	5 u
Value	150	250	400
Total value	300 u	750 u	2000 u

(a)
Total mass of pepper
= 300 u + 750 u + 2000 u
= 3050 u

3050 u = 18300

1 u = 18300 ÷ 3050 = 6

Total number of containers of K and L used
= 2 u + 3 u
= 5 u
= 5 x 6
= 30 

(b)
Combined weight of all the pepper in containers L and containers M
= 750 u + 2000 u
= 2750 u

Difference between the combined weight of all the pepper in containers L and containers M as compared to the pepper in containers K
= 2750 u - 300 u
= 2450 u
= 2450 x 6
= 14700 g
= 14.7 kg 

Answer(s): (a) 30; (b) 14.7 kg