How many pounds of 10-6-4 fertilizer are needed to apply two pounds of actual nitrogen?

• A. 10
• B. 20
• C. 2
• D. 200

Answer: (B)

When a fertilizer label shows numbers like 10-6-4, the first number represents the percentage of nitrogen (N) by weight. So this product is 10% N.

To supply two pounds of actual nitrogen, you need enough fertilizer so that 10% of its weight equals 2 pounds. Set up the equation: 0.10 × total weight = 2. Solve for total weight to get 2 ÷ 0.10 = 20 pounds.

So, twenty pounds of this fertilizer provide the desired two pounds of nitrogen. The phosphorus and potassium percentages (the 6 and 4) aren’t involved in this calculation unless you’re aiming to apply those nutrients specifically.