Three types of curry powder, M, N and P come in containers of 200 g, 350 g and 500 g respectively. Containers of M, N and P are mixed together in the ratio 3 : 4 : 5 to obtain 40.5 kg of an assortment of curry powder.

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

	M	N	P
Number	3 u	4 u	5 u
Value	200	350	500
Total value	600 u	1400 u	2500 u

(a)
Total mass of curry powder
= 600 u + 1400 u + 2500 u
= 4500 u

4500 u = 40500

1 u = 40500 ÷ 4500 = 9

Total number of containers of M and N used
= 3 u + 4 u
= 7 u
= 7 x 9
= 63 

(b)
Combined weight of all the curry powder in containers N and containers P
= 1400 u + 2500 u
= 3900 u

Difference between the combined weight of all the curry powder in containers N and containers P as compared to the curry powder in containers M
= 3900 u - 600 u
= 3300 u
= 3300 x 9
= 29700 g
= 29.7 kg 

Answer(s): (a) 63; (b) 29.7 kg