Question

A box contains $10$ pounds of a nut mix that is $50$ percent peanuts, $20$ percent cashews, and $30$ percent almonds. A second nut mix containing $20$ percent peanuts, $40$ percent cashews, and $40$ percent almonds is added to the box resulting in a new nut mix that is $40$ percent peanuts. How many pounds of cashews are now in the box?

$3.5$

$4$

$4.5$

$5$

$6$

Solution:

The first box has $5$ lb peanuts, $2$ lb cashews, and $3$ lb almonds. Adding $x$ pounds of the second mix contributes $0.2x$ lb peanuts and $0.4x$ lb cashews.

The new peanut fraction is $40\%,$ so $\frac{5+0.2x}{10+x}=0.4.$ This gives $5+0.2x=4+0.4x,$ so $x=5.$

The cashews now total $2 + 0.4(5) = 4$ pounds.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

2025 AMC 12A Problem 2

Solution:

Problem 2 in Other Years