A 50:50 mixture of A and B will be separated to give a distillate containing 97% component A and a bottom product within 3% of the limit concentration.

1. What assumptions do you need to make to solve this problem?
2. What are the concentrations that limit the separation for this mixture?
3. What is the actual number of trays required to achieve this separation? (Please give a clear explanation of the steps taken and assumptions made to produce your answer).