Three types of pepper, S, T and U come in containers of 90 g, 120 g and 180 g respectively. Containers of S, T and U are mixed together in the ratio 1 : 3 : 4 to obtain 10.53 kg of an assortment of pepper.

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

	S	T	U
Number	1 u	3 u	4 u
Value	90	120	180
Total value	90 u	360 u	720 u

(a)
Total mass of pepper
= 90 u + 360 u + 720 u
= 1170 u

1170 u = 10530

1 u = 10530 ÷ 1170 = 9

Total number of containers of S and T used
= 1 u + 3 u
= 4 u
= 4 x 9
= 36 

(b)
Combined weight of all the pepper in containers T and containers U
= 360 u + 720 u
= 1080 u

Difference between the combined weight of all the pepper in containers T and containers U as compared to the pepper in containers S
= 1080 u - 90 u
= 990 u
= 990 x 9
= 8910 g
= 8.91 kg 

Answer(s): (a) 36; (b) 8.91 kg