The volume and mass of a piece of iron-aluminium alloy are `100cm^(3)` and 588 g respectively. The specific gravities of iron and aluminium are 8 and 2.7 respectively. Calculate the ratio of the volumes of iron and aluminium on the alloy.

Explanation

Let the volume of iron = `v_(1)cm^(3)`, volume of aluminium = `v_(2)cm^(3)`, density of iron = `8g*cm^(-3)` and density of aluminium = `2.7g*cm^(-3)`.
According to the problem,
`8v_(1)+2.7v_(2)=588" "...(1)`
and `v_(1)+v_(2)=100" "...(2)`
Solving (1) and (2) we get, `v_(1)=60,v_(2)=40`
`therefore" "v_(1)/v_(2)=60/40=3/2`
`therefore` The ratio of the volumes of iron and aluminium = 3 : 2 .