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Agniveer Army CEE Mixture & Alligation

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This page covers Agniveer Army CEE Mixture & Alligation with complete concept notes, 8 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.

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Concept Notes

Mixture & Alligation— Rules & Concept

Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
CORE CONCEPT

Alligation is a quick method to find the ratio of mixing two items when we know their individual values and the mean (average) value of the mixture. It works on the principle that gain of one quantity equals loss of another quantity

KEY RULES

The ratio of quantities is inversely proportional to their differences from the mean 2. Cheaper quantity × Its difference from mean = Dearer quantity × Its difference from mean 3. For replacement problems, use: Final strength = Initial strength × (1 - R/C)^n where R = replaced quantity, C = total capacity, n = number of operations

Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
• Basic Alligation Formula: Ratio = (Mean - Cheaper value) : (Dearer value - Mean)
• For percentages: If x% and y% solutions are mixed to get z%, then Ratio = (z-x) : (y-z)
• Weighted Average: Mean = (A×a + B×b) / (A+B) where A,B are quantities and a,b are their values
• Replacement Formula: New concentration = Old × (1 - fraction removed)^number of operations
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

SSC CGL typically asks 1-2 questions on mixtures. Common types include: mixing two different priced items, alcohol-water mixtures, milk-water problems, successive mixing, and replacement of mixtures.

ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question

- CROSS METHOD: Draw a cross diagram. Put mean in center, cheaper value top-left, dearer value bottom-left. Differences go on right side.

This gives the mixing ratio directly.

Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1

Apply alligation formula Cheaper tea = Rs 64, Dearer tea = Rs 86, Mean = Rs 68

2
Step 2

Find differences Difference of cheaper from mean = 68 - 64 = 4 Difference of dearer from mean = 86 - 68 = 18

3
Step 3

Write ratio Ratio = 4:18 = 2:9 So tea worth Rs 64 and Rs 86 should be mixed in ratio 2:9. WORKED EXAMPLE 2: A vessel contains 60 litres of milk-water mixture with 80% milk. How much mixture should be removed and replaced with water to make milk 60%?

1
Step 1

Find initial milk quantity Initial milk = 60 × 80% = 48 litres

2
Step 2

Set up equation for final state Let x litres be removed and replaced with water Milk removed = x × 80% = 0.8x Final milk = 48 - 0.8x

3
Step 3

Apply condition Final milk percentage = 60% (48 - 0.8x)/60 = 60/100 48 - 0.8x = 36 0.8x = 12 x = 15 litres SHORTCUT FOR SUCCESSIVE OPERATIONS: When same fraction is removed repeatedly, use: Final = Initial × (1-f)^n where f = fraction removed, n = number of times.

Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these

#1: Students often confuse the direction of ratio in alligation. Remember: the ratio is OPPOSITE to what you might think. If mean is closer to cheaper value, you need MORE of the cheaper item, not less.

Always write (Mean - Cheaper) : (Dearer - Mean) for the ratio of Cheaper : Dearer.

Key Points to Remember

  • Alligation finds mixing ratios when individual values and mean value are known
  • Formula: Ratio = (Mean - Cheaper) : (Dearer - Mean) for quantities cheaper:dearer
  • Cross method: Put mean in center, write differences on opposite sides to get ratio
  • For replacement: Final concentration = Initial × (1 - removed fraction)^operations
  • In successive operations, multiply the reduction factor repeatedly
  • Weighted average formula: Mean = (Q1×V1 + Q2×V2)/(Q1+Q2)
  • The mixing ratio is inversely proportional to distance from mean value
  • When mean is closer to cheaper value, more cheaper quantity is needed
  • For percentage mixtures, treat percentages as values in alligation formula
  • Always check if final answer makes logical sense with given constraints

Exam-Specific Tips

  • Alligation rule: Cheaper quantity : Dearer quantity = (Mean - Cheaper value) : (Dearer value - Mean)
  • For milk-water problems, concentration typically reduces by factor (1 - R/C) per operation
  • When equal quantities of two mixtures are combined, resultant concentration is arithmetic mean of both
  • In successive mixing, final ratio = Product of individual operation ratios
  • Standard milk percentage in problems: Pure milk = 100%, typical mixtures = 80%, 75%, 60%
  • Replacement formula for n operations: Final = Initial × (1 - removed/total)^n
  • Cost price mixing follows same alligation rules as percentage mixing
  • Two mixtures of same concentration when mixed give same concentration
Practice MCQs

Mixture & Alligation — Practice Questions

8graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis

All MCQs →
Practice 1easy

A mixture contains milk and water in the ratio 3:2. If the total quantity of the mixture is 50 litres, how many litres of milk are present in the mixture?

Practice 2easy

Two varieties of rice costing ₹40 per kg and ₹60 per kg are mixed in the ratio 2:3. What is the cost per kg of the resulting mixture?

Practice 3easy

In what ratio should sugar costing ₹20 per kg be mixed with sugar costing ₹30 per kg to get a mixture costing ₹24 per kg?

Practice 4medium

A shopkeeper mixes rice costing ₹10 per kg with rice costing ₹15 per kg. If he wants to make a mixture costing ₹12 per kg, in what ratio should he mix the two types of rice?

Practice 5medium

Two containers have milk and water mixed in the ratio 3:1 and 5:3 respectively. In what ratio should milk from both containers be mixed to get a final mixture with milk and water in the ratio 4:2?

Practice 6medium

A chemist has two acid solutions: one containing 20% acid and another containing 50% acid. How many litres of the 20% solution should be mixed with 30 litres of the 50% solution to obtain a 30% acid mixture?

Practice 7medium

A grocer mixes almonds costing ₹400 per kg with cashews costing ₹600 per kg. If 40 kg of almonds are used and the mixture costs ₹500 per kg, how many kilograms of cashews were added?

Practice 8hard

A shopkeeper mixes two types of tea costing ₹80 per kg and ₹120 per kg in the ratio 3:2. What is the cost price per kg of the mixture?

60-Second Revision — Mixture & Alligation

  • Formula: Ratio = (Mean - Cheaper) : (Dearer - Mean) - remember the cross pattern
  • Replacement: New concentration = Old × (1 - fraction removed)^number of times
  • Trap: Ratio direction is opposite to intuition - more cheaper when mean is closer to cheaper
  • Quick check: Final ratio quantities should be inversely related to their distance from mean
  • For successive operations, multiply the (1 - removed fraction) repeatedly
  • Cross method saves time: Draw cross, put mean center, differences give ratio directly
  • Always verify answer makes sense: percentages between 0-100, positive quantities
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