Three types of pepper, L, M and N come in containers of 240 g, 360 g and 480 g respectively. Containers of L, M and N are mixed together in the ratio 1 : 4 : 5 to obtain 36.72 kg of an assortment of pepper.

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

	L	M	N
Number	1 u	4 u	5 u
Value	240	360	480
Total value	240 u	1440 u	2400 u

(a)
Total mass of pepper
= 240 u + 1440 u + 2400 u
= 4080 u

4080 u = 36720

1 u = 36720 ÷ 4080 = 9

Total number of containers of L and M used
= 1 u + 4 u
= 5 u
= 5 x 9
= 45 

(b)
Combined weight of all the pepper in containers M and containers N
= 1440 u + 2400 u
= 3840 u

Difference between the combined weight of all the pepper in containers M and containers N as compared to the pepper in containers L
= 3840 u - 240 u
= 3600 u
= 3600 x 9
= 32400 g
= 32.4 kg 

Answer(s): (a) 45; (b) 32.4 kg