Three types of pepper, U, V and W come in containers of 180 g, 240 g and 420 g respectively. Containers of U, V and W are mixed together in the ratio 1 : 3 : 5 to obtain 30 kg of an assortment of pepper.

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

	U	V	W
Number	1 u	3 u	5 u
Value	180	240	420
Total value	180 u	720 u	2100 u

(a)
Total mass of pepper
= 180 u + 720 u + 2100 u
= 3000 u

3000 u = 30000

1 u = 30000 ÷ 3000 = 10

Total number of containers of U and V used
= 1 u + 3 u
= 4 u
= 4 x 10
= 40 

(b)
Combined weight of all the pepper in containers V and containers W
= 720 u + 2100 u
= 2820 u

Difference between the combined weight of all the pepper in containers V and containers W as compared to the pepper in containers U
= 2820 u - 180 u
= 2640 u
= 2640 x 10
= 26400 g
= 26.4 kg 

Answer(s): (a) 40; (b) 26.4 kg