Question

Sam is renting one of two cars to go on a 300-mile trip. The first car can travel 75 miles on 5 gallons of gas. The second car can travel 240 miles on 20 gallons of gas. Each car costs the same to rent, and Sam wants to rent the car with the better gas mileage. Sam estimates that he will pay $49.42 for every 14 gallons of gas he has to buy. Which car should Sam rent, and how much money should Sam bring for gas? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

Solution:

The first car can travel 75 miles on 5 gallons of gas.

So  per mile gas consumed by car$=\frac{5}{75}=\frac{1}{15}$ gallon

The second car can travel 240 miles on 20 gallons of gas.

So  per mile gas consumed by car$=\frac{20}{240}=\frac{1}{12}$ gallon

It mean Sam should rent the First car.

Sam is renting one of two cars to go on a 300-mile trip.

So total number of gallons of gas required$=\frac{1}{15}*300=20$

Total cost of 20 gallons of gas $=\frac{49.42}{14}*20= 70.6$ dollar