Three types of curry powder, S, T and U come in containers of 80 g, 120 g and 200 g respectively. Containers of S, T and U are mixed together in the ratio 3 : 4 : 5 to obtain 15.48 kg of an assortment of curry powder.

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

	S	T	U
Number	3 u	4 u	5 u
Value	80	120	200
Total value	240 u	480 u	1000 u

(a)
Total mass of curry powder
= 240 u + 480 u + 1000 u
= 1720 u

1720 u = 15480

1 u = 15480 ÷ 1720 = 9

Total number of containers of S and T used
= 3 u + 4 u
= 7 u
= 7 x 9
= 63 

(b)
Combined weight of all the curry powder in containers T and containers U
= 480 u + 1000 u
= 1480 u

Difference between the combined weight of all the curry powder in containers T and containers U as compared to the curry powder in containers S
= 1480 u - 240 u
= 1240 u
= 1240 x 9
= 11160 g
= 11.16 kg 

Answer(s): (a) 63; (b) 11.16 kg