Three types of sugar, U, V and W come in containers of 180 g, 240 g and 300 g respectively. Containers of U, V and W are mixed together in the ratio 1 : 3 : 5 to obtain 16.8 kg of an assortment of sugar.

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

	U	V	W
Number	1 u	3 u	5 u
Value	180	240	300
Total value	180 u	720 u	1500 u

(a)
Total mass of sugar
= 180 u + 720 u + 1500 u
= 2400 u

2400 u = 16800

1 u = 16800 ÷ 2400 = 7

Total number of containers of U and V used
= 1 u + 3 u
= 4 u
= 4 x 7
= 28 

(b)
Combined weight of all the sugar in containers V and containers W
= 720 u + 1500 u
= 2220 u

Difference between the combined weight of all the sugar in containers V and containers W as compared to the sugar in containers U
= 2220 u - 180 u
= 2040 u
= 2040 x 7
= 14280 g
= 14.28 kg 

Answer(s): (a) 28; (b) 14.28 kg