Three types of pepper, C, D and E come in containers of 120 g, 210 g and 240 g respectively. Containers of C, D and E are mixed together in the ratio 2 : 3 : 5 to obtain 18.63 kg of an assortment of pepper.

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

	C	D	E
Number	2 u	3 u	5 u
Value	120	210	240
Total value	240 u	630 u	1200 u

(a)
Total mass of pepper
= 240 u + 630 u + 1200 u
= 2070 u

2070 u = 18630

1 u = 18630 ÷ 2070 = 9

Total number of containers of C and D used
= 2 u + 3 u
= 5 u
= 5 x 9
= 45 

(b)
Combined weight of all the pepper in containers D and containers E
= 630 u + 1200 u
= 1830 u

Difference between the combined weight of all the pepper in containers D and containers E as compared to the pepper in containers C
= 1830 u - 240 u
= 1590 u
= 1590 x 9
= 14310 g
= 14.31 kg 

Answer(s): (a) 45; (b) 14.31 kg