Math Problem Statement

Your destination is 90 miles away, and your fuel gauge shows that your gas tank is one-quarter full. Your tank holds 12 gallons of gas, and your car averages about 25 miles per gallon. Do you need to stop for gas?

What units are involved in the problem? What unit should the answer be in?

Solution

Problem Breakdown:

  1. Given Information:

    • Distance to destination: 90 miles.
    • Gas tank status: One-quarter full.
    • Total tank capacity: 12 gallons.
    • Car fuel efficiency: 25 miles per gallon.
  2. Calculations:

    • Fuel Remaining: Since the tank is one-quarter full, the remaining gas is: Remaining gas=14×12gallons=3gallons\text{Remaining gas} = \frac{1}{4} \times 12 \, \text{gallons} = 3 \, \text{gallons}
    • Distance the car can travel with the remaining fuel: Distance possible=3gallons×25miles per gallon=75miles\text{Distance possible} = 3 \, \text{gallons} \times 25 \, \text{miles per gallon} = 75 \, \text{miles}
  3. Comparison:

    • The car can travel 75 miles with the remaining fuel, but the destination is 90 miles away.

Units Involved:

  • Miles (distance)
  • Gallons (fuel)
  • Miles per gallon (fuel efficiency)

Answer:

  • The answer should be in miles to determine if the remaining distance the car can travel (in miles) is enough to cover the distance to the destination (also in miles).

Conclusion:

  • Yes, you need to stop for gas because your car can only travel 75 miles, but the destination is 90 miles away.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions to consider:

  1. How much more gas do you need to reach the destination?
  2. What if the fuel efficiency of the car decreases to 20 miles per gallon?
  3. How would the outcome change if the gas tank was half full?
  4. How much fuel would be left if the destination was only 60 miles away?
  5. What if the gas tank capacity was 15 gallons instead of 12?

Tip: Always check both the distance you can travel and the remaining distance when planning long trips to avoid running out of fuel.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Ratio and Proportion
Unit Conversion
Distance and Rate Problems

Formulas

Remaining Fuel = (Fuel Gauge Percentage) × (Total Tank Capacity)
Distance Possible = Remaining Fuel × Fuel Efficiency

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-8