Three types of pepper, M, N and P come in containers of 60 g, 90 g and 150 g respectively. Containers of M, N and P are mixed together in the ratio 1 : 2 : 5 to obtain 9.9 kg of an assortment of pepper.

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

	M	N	P
Number	1 u	2 u	5 u
Value	60	90	150
Total value	60 u	180 u	750 u

(a)
Total mass of pepper
= 60 u + 180 u + 750 u
= 990 u

990 u = 9900

1 u = 9900 ÷ 990 = 10

Total number of containers of M and N used
= 1 u + 2 u
= 3 u
= 3 x 10
= 30 

(b)
Combined weight of all the pepper in containers N and containers P
= 180 u + 750 u
= 930 u

Difference between the combined weight of all the pepper in containers N and containers P as compared to the pepper in containers M
= 930 u - 60 u
= 870 u
= 870 x 10
= 8700 g
= 8.7 kg 

Answer(s): (a) 30; (b) 8.7 kg