A dairy farmer wants to mix a 75% protein supplement and a standard 30% protein ration to make 1200 pounds of a high-grade 45% protein ration. How many pounds of each should he use?

Answer 1

Let x be the number of pounds of the 75% protein supplement.

Then, the number of pounds of the 30% protein ration would be 1200 - x.

We can set up the following equation:

0.75x + 0.3(1200 - x) = 0.45(1200)

Simplifying:

0.75x + 360 - 0.3x = 540

0.45x = 180

x = 400

Therefore, the dairy farmer should use 400 pounds of the 75% protein supplement and 800 pounds of the 30% protein ration to make 1200 pounds of a high-grade 45% protein ration.