Balance Method (Alligation Seesaw)
GMAT glossary · Playbook
Definition
A balance diagram for blending two concentrations or prices to a target middle, where distances from the target are inverse to the quantity weights.
Balance Method (Alligation Seesaw) in plain English
Also called the Mixture Alligation Scale. Use the Balance Method (also called Alligation Seesaw) when two concentrations or prices blend to a target middle. Clues include mixture, blended rate, tiered commission, or alligation. Seesaw: distances from the target are inverse to the quantity weights (Balance Method). Solving full weighted-average algebra is slower once the seesaw ratios are visible on the page. Put the two pure values on the ends, the target in the middle, and cross-read the opposite gaps as part counts. Micro-example: mix 10% and 40% solutions to get 20%. Distances from 20 are 10 below and 20 above, so the ratio of 40%-solution to 10%-solution is 10:20 = 1:2. Mix 1 part strong with 2 parts weak.
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