BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

A certain car traveled twice as many miles

Expert replies
by BTGmoderatorDC » Mon Feb 19, 2018 8:11 pm
A certain car traveled twice as many miles from Town A to Town B as it did from Town B to Town C. From Town A to Town B, the car averaged 12 miles per gallon, and from Town B to Town C, the car averaged 18 miles per gallon. What is the average miles per gallon that the car achieved on its trip from Town A through Town B to Town C?

A. 13
B. 13.5
C. 14
D. 14.5
E. 15

I am confused about the formula to use in this problem, can some experts help?

OA B
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by GMATGuruNY » Mon Feb 19, 2018 9:47 pm
lheiannie07 wrote:A certain car traveled twice as many miles from Town A to Town B as it did from Town B to Town C. From Town A to Town B, the car averaged 12 miles per gallon, and from Town B to Town C, the car averaged 18 miles per gallon. What is the average miles per gallon that the car achieved on its trip from Town A through Town B to Town C?

A. 13
B. 13.5
C. 14
D. 14.5
E. 15
Let B to C = 18 miles.
Since the rate from B to C is 18 miles per gallon, the amount of gas used from B to C = d/r = 18/18 = 1 gallon.

Since the distance from A to B is twice the distance from B to C, A to B = 2*18 = 36 miles.
Since the rate from A to B is 12 miles per gallon. the amount of gas used from A to B = d/r = 36/12 = 3 gallons.

Thus:
Average miles per gallon for the whole trip = (total distance)/(total gas) = (18+36)/(1+3) = 54/4 = 27/2 = 13.5 miles per gallon.

The correct answer is B.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Join the discussion

by Jeff@TargetTestPrep » Thu Feb 22, 2018 8:41 am
lheiannie07 wrote:A certain car traveled twice as many miles from Town A to Town B as it did from Town B to Town C. From Town A to Town B, the car averaged 12 miles per gallon, and from Town B to Town C, the car averaged 18 miles per gallon. What is the average miles per gallon that the car achieved on its trip from Town A through Town B to Town C?

A. 13
B. 13.5
C. 14
D. 14.5
E. 15
We are given that a certain car traveled twice as many miles from Town A to Town B as it did from Town B to Town C. Thus, if the car traveled d miles from Town B to Town C, it traveled 2d miles from Town A to Town B.

We are also given that from Town A to Town B, the car averaged 12 miles per gallon, and from Town B to Town C, the car averaged 18 miles per gallon.

Thus, the number of gallons used from Town A to Town B is 2d/12 = d/6 and the number of gallons used from Town B to Town C is d/18.

Let's now determine the overall average miles per gallon, using the following formula:

average = (total distance)/(total gallons)

average = (2d + d)/(d/6 + d/18)

average = 3d/(4d/18) = (3d x 18)/4d = 54/4 = 13.5 mpg

Answer: B

Jeffrey Miller
Head of GMAT Instruction
[email protected]

Image

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews
Join the discussion