Question

A hybrid car gets 40 miles per gallon. Gasoline costs $3.52 per gallon. What is the cost of the gasoline needed for the car to travel 120 miles?

• A. $9.54
• B. $10.56
• C. $10.36
• D. $14.08
• E. $12.53

Hint:

Unit analysis is a great way to ensure you're setting up the problem correctly. Notice how in Step 1, "miles" cancels out, leaving "gallons", and in Step 2, "gallons" cancels out, leaving "dollars". This confirms the operations are correct.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a multi-step problem involving rates. We need to first determine the amount of fuel required for the trip and then calculate the total cost of that fuel.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. Calculate the number of gallons needed using the formula: Gallons = Total Distance / Miles per Gallon.
2. Calculate the total cost using the formula: Total Cost = Gallons Needed × Cost per Gallon.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Step 1: Calculate Gallons Needed
The car travels 120 miles and has a fuel efficiency of 40 miles per gallon.
Gallons = Total Distance / Miles per Gallon = 120 miles / 40 miles/gallon = 3 gallons
Step 2: Calculate Total Cost
The car needs 3 gallons of gasoline, and the cost is $3.52 per gallon.
Total Cost = 3 gallons × $3.52/gallon = $10.56
Step 4: Final Answer:
The cost of the gasoline needed is $10.56.