To determine how many kilograms of each metal are needed to make 4 kilograms of German silver, we start by understanding the given ratio of nickel, zinc, and copper which is 3:4:13.
1. **Express the ratio as part sums:**
The ratio 3:4:13 implies the total parts of the alloy are:
\[
3 + 4 + 13 = 20\text{ parts}
\]
2. **Determine the mass contribution of each part:**
Since we need a total of 4 kilograms of the alloy, we can find the mass of each part by dividing the total mass by the number of parts:
\[
\text{Mass of each part} = \frac{4 \text{ kg}}{20 \text{ parts}} = 0.2 \text{ kg/part}
\]
3. **Calculate the mass of each metal:**
- For nickel (3 parts):
\[
3 \times 0.2 \text{ kg/part} = 0.6 \text{ kg}
\]
- For zinc (4 parts):
\[
4 \times 0.2 \text{ kg/part} = 0.8 \text{ kg}
\]
- For copper (13 parts):
\[
13 \times 0.2 \text{ kg/part} = 2.6 \text{ kg}
\]
Therefore, to make 4 kilograms of German silver, you need:
- 0.6 kilograms of nickel,
- 0.8 kilograms of zinc, and
- 2.6 kilograms of copper.
German silver is an alloy composed of nickel, zinc, and copper in a 3:4:13 ratio. How many kilograms of each metal are needed to make 4 kilograms of this alloy?
1 answer