Three types of pepper, V, W and X come in containers of 60 g, 120 g and 150 g respectively. Containers of V, W and X are mixed together in the ratio 1 : 4 : 5 to obtain 14.19 kg of an assortment of pepper.

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

	V	W	X
Number	1 u	4 u	5 u
Value	60	120	150
Total value	60 u	480 u	750 u

(a)
Total mass of pepper
= 60 u + 480 u + 750 u
= 1290 u

1290 u = 14190

1 u = 14190 ÷ 1290 = 11

Total number of containers of V and W used
= 1 u + 4 u
= 5 u
= 5 x 11
= 55 

(b)
Combined weight of all the pepper in containers W and containers X
= 480 u + 750 u
= 1230 u

Difference between the combined weight of all the pepper in containers W and containers X as compared to the pepper in containers V
= 1230 u - 60 u
= 1170 u
= 1170 x 11
= 12870 g
= 12.87 kg 

Answer(s): (a) 55; (b) 12.87 kg