Gasoline Costs $\$1.99$ Per Gallon And Your Car Gets 27 Miles Per Gallon. What Is Your Fuel Cost If You Travel 600 Miles?A. $\$67.88$ B. $\$53.77$ C. $\$44.22$ D. $\$11.17$
Understanding the Problem
In this problem, we are given the cost of gasoline per gallon and the miles per gallon that our car gets. We need to calculate the fuel cost for a specific distance traveled. This is a classic problem of unit conversion and proportionality.
Given Information
- Gasoline costs per gallon.
- The car gets 27 miles per gallon.
- We need to travel 600 miles.
Step 1: Convert the Distance to Gallons
To calculate the fuel cost, we need to know how many gallons of gasoline we will need to travel 600 miles. We can use the miles per gallon (mpg) to convert the distance to gallons.
# Define the variables
distance = 600 # miles
mpg = 27 # miles per gallon
# Calculate the number of gallons needed
gallons_needed = distance / mpg
Step 2: Calculate the Fuel Cost
Now that we know how many gallons of gasoline we will need, we can calculate the fuel cost by multiplying the number of gallons by the cost per gallon.
# Define the cost per gallon
cost_per_gallon = 1.99 # dollars per gallon
# Calculate the fuel cost
fuel_cost = gallons_needed * cost_per_gallon
Step 3: Calculate the Fuel Cost for 600 Miles
Now that we have the formula to calculate the fuel cost, we can plug in the values and calculate the fuel cost for 600 miles.
# Calculate the fuel cost for 600 miles
fuel_cost_600_miles = (600 / 27) * 1.99
Solving the Problem
Now that we have the formula to calculate the fuel cost, we can solve the problem by plugging in the values.
# Define the variables
distance = 600 # miles
mpg = 27 # miles per gallon
cost_per_gallon = 1.99 # dollars per gallon
# Calculate the fuel cost for 600 miles
fuel_cost_600_miles = (distance / mpg) * cost_per_gallon
Answer
The fuel cost for 600 miles is .
Conclusion
In this problem, we used unit conversion and proportionality to calculate the fuel cost for a specific distance traveled. We first converted the distance to gallons using the miles per gallon, and then calculated the fuel cost by multiplying the number of gallons by the cost per gallon. The final answer is .
Discussion
This problem is a classic example of unit conversion and proportionality. It requires the student to understand the relationship between the distance traveled, the miles per gallon, and the cost per gallon. The student must also be able to convert the distance to gallons and calculate the fuel cost using the formula.
Tips and Variations
- To make the problem more challenging, you can add a variable cost per gallon or a variable miles per gallon.
- To make the problem easier, you can provide a table with the cost per gallon and the miles per gallon for different distances.
- You can also add a twist to the problem by asking the student to calculate the fuel cost for a specific route with multiple stops.
Real-World Applications
This problem has real-world applications in the field of transportation and logistics. It can be used to calculate the fuel cost for a road trip, a delivery route, or a fleet of vehicles. It can also be used to optimize the route and reduce the fuel cost.
Mathematical Concepts
This problem requires the student to understand the following mathematical concepts:
- Unit conversion
- Proportionality
- Algebraic manipulation
- Formula development
Assessment
This problem can be used to assess the student's understanding of unit conversion and proportionality. It can also be used to assess the student's ability to develop and apply formulas to solve real-world problems.
Extension
This problem can be extended by adding more variables and complexity to the problem. For example, you can add a variable cost per gallon or a variable miles per gallon. You can also add a twist to the problem by asking the student to calculate the fuel cost for a specific route with multiple stops.
Conclusion
Q: What is the formula to calculate the fuel cost?
A: The formula to calculate the fuel cost is:
Fuel Cost = (Distance / Miles per Gallon) x Cost per Gallon
Q: How do I convert the distance to gallons?
A: To convert the distance to gallons, you can use the formula:
Gallons = Distance / Miles per Gallon
Q: What if I have a variable cost per gallon?
A: If you have a variable cost per gallon, you can use the formula:
Fuel Cost = (Distance / Miles per Gallon) x Variable Cost per Gallon
Q: Can I use this formula to calculate the fuel cost for a specific route with multiple stops?
A: Yes, you can use this formula to calculate the fuel cost for a specific route with multiple stops. You will need to calculate the distance and miles per gallon for each stop, and then use the formula to calculate the fuel cost for each stop. You can then add up the fuel costs for each stop to get the total fuel cost.
Q: How do I optimize the route to reduce the fuel cost?
A: To optimize the route to reduce the fuel cost, you can use a variety of techniques such as:
- Using a mapping software to find the most efficient route
- Avoiding traffic and construction
- Using fuel-efficient vehicles
- Reducing the number of stops
- Using a fuel management system to track fuel consumption and optimize fuel usage
Q: Can I use this formula to calculate the fuel cost for a fleet of vehicles?
A: Yes, you can use this formula to calculate the fuel cost for a fleet of vehicles. You will need to calculate the distance and miles per gallon for each vehicle, and then use the formula to calculate the fuel cost for each vehicle. You can then add up the fuel costs for each vehicle to get the total fuel cost for the fleet.
Q: How do I calculate the fuel cost for a specific type of vehicle?
A: To calculate the fuel cost for a specific type of vehicle, you will need to know the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, which is typically measured in miles per gallon (mpg). You can then use the formula:
Fuel Cost = (Distance / MPG) x Cost per Gallon
Q: Can I use this formula to calculate the fuel cost for a specific type of fuel?
A: Yes, you can use this formula to calculate the fuel cost for a specific type of fuel. You will need to know the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, which is typically measured in miles per gallon (mpg), and the cost per gallon of the specific type of fuel.
Q: How do I calculate the fuel cost for a specific route with multiple stops and different types of fuel?
A: To calculate the fuel cost for a specific route with multiple stops and different types of fuel, you will need to calculate the distance and miles per gallon for each stop, and then use the formula to calculate the fuel cost for each stop. You will also need to know the cost per gallon of each type of fuel, and use the formula to calculate the fuel cost for each stop. You can then add up the fuel costs for each stop to get the total fuel cost.
Q: Can I use this formula to calculate the fuel cost for a specific type of vehicle with a variable fuel efficiency?
A: Yes, you can use this formula to calculate the fuel cost for a specific type of vehicle with a variable fuel efficiency. You will need to know the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, which is typically measured in miles per gallon (mpg), and the cost per gallon of the fuel. You can then use the formula:
Fuel Cost = (Distance / Variable MPG) x Cost per Gallon
Q: How do I calculate the fuel cost for a specific route with multiple stops and different types of vehicles?
A: To calculate the fuel cost for a specific route with multiple stops and different types of vehicles, you will need to calculate the distance and miles per gallon for each stop, and then use the formula to calculate the fuel cost for each stop. You will also need to know the cost per gallon of each type of fuel, and use the formula to calculate the fuel cost for each stop. You can then add up the fuel costs for each stop to get the total fuel cost.
Q: Can I use this formula to calculate the fuel cost for a specific type of vehicle with a variable fuel efficiency and different types of fuel?
A: Yes, you can use this formula to calculate the fuel cost for a specific type of vehicle with a variable fuel efficiency and different types of fuel. You will need to know the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, which is typically measured in miles per gallon (mpg), and the cost per gallon of each type of fuel. You can then use the formula:
Fuel Cost = (Distance / Variable MPG) x Variable Cost per Gallon
Conclusion
In conclusion, this Q&A article provides a comprehensive guide to calculating fuel costs using the formula:
Fuel Cost = (Distance / Miles per Gallon) x Cost per Gallon
It also provides answers to a variety of questions related to calculating fuel costs, including how to convert the distance to gallons, how to optimize the route to reduce the fuel cost, and how to calculate the fuel cost for a specific type of vehicle with a variable fuel efficiency and different types of fuel.