Expert: Ahmed Salami - 6/4/2004

Question
Hello:

The following should help:

A man invested $30,000 for one year at simple interest; one portion was invested at 5% and the remainder at 2%.
How much money did he invest at each rate if the total return was at the rate of 4%?

This may also help:  (interest from portion invested at 5%) + (interest from portion invested at 2%) = (interest obtained if whole sum had been invested at 4%)

I want to use a calculation OTHER THAN the following:
0.05x + (0.02)($30,000 - x) = $1,200.

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Followup To
Question -
If you believe that ratios, percentages, proportions are all algebraic too. Then solve it with one or all of these!

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Followup To
Question -
Hello:

I want to thank you for your reply. I'll alter the calculation to the following:
5% X $___ + 2% X $___ /$30,000 = $1,200

The answers are $20,000 and $10,000.

I'm curious to know whether or not this can be solved by a non-algebra solution, perhaps using percents or ratios?

I thank you for your follow-up reply.

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Followup To
Question -
Hello:

Is there a non-algebra solution for determining the answers for the following calculation, perhaps using ratios or percents?

(5% X $____) + (2% X $____) = $1,200

Answers: $20,000 and $10,000

I thank you for any helpful reply that you may provide.

Answer -
Hi,
I am not sure i quite qet the question.
But if the question is asking for the solution of an equation of the form;
5%x + 2%y = 1200
Then there is an infinite number of pairs of values for x and y which satisfies this equation.
A constraint might help to narrow the particular pair of values to your own answer. Linear optimization or perhaps simply simultaneous equations techniques could be helpful here and i am afraid you would have to make use of algebra.
If i have not answered your question then get back to me.
Alright.
Answer -
Hi
i don't think so. i believe ratios, percentages, proportions are all algebraic too.
Infact i don't really get your question. you would do well to make it really understandable if you are not satisfied with my answer.
Answer -
Hi,
Alright, lets get this over with once and for all.
I would like you explain well what the question requires as a solution.
Does it require two numbers such that adding two percent of one to five percent the other gives 1200?
Let me know exactly what is required and i would make sure the next reply would be the last and it sure would be good
.

Answer
Hi,
Alright i think i get you now.
Let x and y be the two amounts that make up the total value.
Using percentages and ratios in succession,
5%x + 2%y = 4%(x+y)
Solving this gives us
x = 2y
i.e
x:y = 2:1
Therefore, the value of x and y are,
x = 2/(2+1).(30000)
 = (2/3).(30000)
 = 20000
y = 1/(2+1).(30000)
 = (1/3).(30000)
 = 10000
Well, i think this is as far i can go as regards this question. Feel free to contact me some other time. I hope i have been helpful this time around.