The table below shows the ratios of black paint to white paint needed to make different shades of gray paint.

Question

Shades of Gray Black: White
Gray Pearl 1:20
Urban Gray 1:16
Gray Fox 2:1
Volcanic Gray 8:1
If the paint company mixes 4 gallons of black paint with 1/2

gallon of white paint, which shade of gray will it make?

A.
Gray Pearl

B.
Urban Gray

C.
Gray Fox

D.
Volcanic Gray

Answer 1

To determine which shade of gray the paint company will make with 4 gallons of black paint and 0.5 gallons of white paint, we first need to calculate the ratio of black paint to white paint used in the mixture.

Amount of black paint: 4 gallons
Amount of white paint: 0.5 gallons

Now, let's calculate the ratio of black to white:

\[ \text{Ratio} = \frac{\text{Black Paint}}{\text{White Paint}} = \frac{4 \text{ gallons}}{0.5 \text{ gallons}} = \frac{4}{0.5} = 8 \]

This translates to a ratio of 8:1 (8 parts black to 1 part white).

Next, let's compare this with the ratios given for each shade of gray:

• Gray Pearl: 1:20
• Urban Gray: 1:16
• Gray Fox: 2:1
• Volcanic Gray: 8:1

Since the calculated ratio of 4 gallons black to 0.5 gallons white is 8:1, it matches the ratio for Volcanic Gray.

Thus, the answer is:

D. Volcanic Gray.