Boat fuel use rate

AbeNeedsAnswers wrote:Experts

The explanation in the OG seems a bit complex. Is there an easier way to solve this?

When traveling at a constant speed of 32 miles per hour, a certain motorboat consumes 24 gallons of fuel per hour. What is the fuel consumption of this boat at this speed measured in miles traveled per gallon of fuel?

A) 2/3
B) 3/4
C) 4/5
D) 4/3
E) 3/2

D

So you need a faster approach.

Given:

1. Speed = 32 miles per hour
2. Rate of consumption of fuel = 24 gallons of fuel per hour

To find out:

Speed in miles per gallon

We see that in the above expression, 'miles' is in the numerator, while 'gallon' is in the denominator.

If we divide 'Speed' given in miles per hour by 'Rate of consumption of fuel', 'hour' gets canceled and we are left with 'miles per gallon, and this is what we want.'

Thus, speed in miles per gallon = [32 miles/hour] ÷ [24 gallons/hour]

=> (32/24)*(miles/hour)*(hour/gallons)

=> 4/3 miles/gallons; 'hour' canceled.

The correct answer: A

Hope this helps!

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Hi All,

We're told that when traveling at a constant speed of 32 miles per HOUR, a certain motorboat consumes 24 gallons of fuel per HOUR. We're asked for the fuel consumption of this boat at this speed measured in miles traveled per gallon of fuel.

Sometimes the big 'step' you have to take with a given question is to reorganize the given information. Here, the question tells us:

Every hour, the boat travels 32 miles and consumes 24 gallons of gas. Since we're asked for miles traveled per gallon, it's easy to see that there are MORE miles traveled than gallons used, so the correct answer must be GREATER than 1. Eliminate Answers A, B and C. The ultimate math 'step' is really just to reduce the fraction 32/24... = 4/3

Final Answer: D

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Rich