Calculating Gas Consumption

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 16 views

Introduction

When it comes to owning a car, one of the most important factors to consider is gas mileage. The amount of fuel a car consumes per mile driven can significantly impact the cost of owning and maintaining a vehicle. In this article, we will compare the gas mileage of two cars, Beth's and Darcy's, and analyze the mathematical implications of their fuel efficiency.

Beth's Car

Beth's car has a gas tank that can hold 15 gallons of gas. Her car uses $\frac{1}{30}$ of a gallon of gas per mile driven. This means that for every mile Beth drives, her car consumes $\frac{1}{30}$ of a gallon of gas. To calculate the total amount of gas consumed by Beth's car, we can multiply the number of miles driven by the amount of gas consumed per mile.

Calculating Gas Consumption

Let's assume Beth drives her car for a certain number of miles, denoted by $x$ . The total amount of gas consumed by her car can be calculated as follows:

\text{Gas Consumption} = \frac{1}{30} \times x

This equation shows that the amount of gas consumed by Beth's car is directly proportional to the number of miles driven.

Darcy's Car

Darcy's car has a gas tank that can hold 16 gallons of gas. His car uses $\frac{1}{25}$ of a gallon of gas per mile driven. This means that for every mile Darcy drives, his car consumes $\frac{1}{25}$ of a gallon of gas. To calculate the total amount of gas consumed by Darcy's car, we can multiply the number of miles driven by the amount of gas consumed per mile.

Calculating Gas Consumption

Let's assume Darcy drives his car for a certain number of miles, denoted by $y$ . The total amount of gas consumed by Darcy's car can be calculated as follows:

\text{Gas Consumption} = \frac{1}{25} \times y

This equation shows that the amount of gas consumed by Darcy's car is directly proportional to the number of miles driven.

Comparing Gas Mileage

Now that we have calculated the gas consumption for both Beth's and Darcy's cars, we can compare their gas mileage. To do this, we need to determine which car consumes less gas per mile driven.

Gas Mileage Comparison

Let's assume both Beth and Darcy drive their cars for the same number of miles, denoted by $z$ . The total amount of gas consumed by each car can be calculated as follows:

\text{Beth's Gas Consumption} = \frac{1}{30} \times z

\text{Darcy's Gas Consumption} = \frac{1}{25} \times z

To compare the gas mileage of both cars, we can divide the total amount of gas consumed by each car by the number of miles driven.

Gas Mileage Ratio

The gas mileage ratio can be calculated as follows:

\text{Gas Mileage Ratio} = \frac{\text{Beth's Gas Consumption}}{\text{Darcy's Gas Consumption}}

\text{Gas Mileage Ratio} = \frac{\frac{1}{30} \times z}{\frac{1}{25} \times z}

\text{Gas Mileage Ratio} = \frac{1}{30} \times \frac{25}{1}

\text{Gas Mileage Ratio} = \frac{5}{6}

This means that Darcy's car consumes $\frac{5}{6}$ of the gas that Beth's car consumes per mile driven.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our analysis has shown that Darcy's car has a better gas mileage than Beth's car. This is because Darcy's car consumes less gas per mile driven, resulting in a lower gas mileage ratio. This can have significant implications for the cost of owning and maintaining a vehicle, as well as the environmental impact of fuel consumption.

Recommendations

Based on our analysis, we recommend that Darcy's car is the more fuel-efficient option. However, it's essential to note that other factors such as maintenance costs, insurance rates, and overall vehicle performance should also be considered when making a decision.

Future Research

Future research could explore the impact of various factors on gas mileage, such as:

Vehicle weight: How does the weight of a vehicle affect its gas mileage?
Engine type: How does the type of engine (e.g., gasoline, diesel, hybrid) impact gas mileage?
Driving habits: How do driving habits (e.g., speed, acceleration, braking) affect gas mileage?

By exploring these factors, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between vehicle design, driving habits, and gas mileage.

References

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). (2022). Fuel Economy Guide.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2022). Fuel Economy.
American Automobile Association (AAA). (2022). Gas Prices.

Q: What is gas mileage, and why is it important?

A: Gas mileage refers to the distance a vehicle can travel on a gallon of fuel. It's an essential factor to consider when buying a car, as it directly affects the cost of owning and maintaining a vehicle. A higher gas mileage means better fuel efficiency, which can save you money on fuel costs and reduce your carbon footprint.

Q: How do I calculate my car's gas mileage?

A: To calculate your car's gas mileage, you need to know the distance you've traveled and the amount of fuel you've consumed. You can use the following formula:

Gas Mileage = Total Distance / Total Fuel Consumed

For example, if you've driven 300 miles and consumed 15 gallons of fuel, your gas mileage would be:

Gas Mileage = 300 miles / 15 gallons = 20 miles per gallon

Q: What are the factors that affect gas mileage?

A: Several factors can impact your car's gas mileage, including:

Vehicle weight: Heavier vehicles tend to have lower gas mileage.
Engine type: Different engine types (e.g., gasoline, diesel, hybrid) can affect gas mileage.
Driving habits: Aggressive driving, such as speeding and rapid acceleration, can lower gas mileage.
Maintenance: Regular maintenance, such as oil changes and tire rotations, can improve gas mileage.
Road conditions: Driving on hills, mountains, or rough roads can lower gas mileage.

Q: How can I improve my car's gas mileage?

A: Here are some tips to improve your car's gas mileage:

Regular maintenance: Keep your car in good condition by following the recommended maintenance schedule.
Drive smoothly: Avoid aggressive driving, such as speeding and rapid acceleration.
Remove extra weight: Remove any unnecessary items from your car to reduce weight and improve gas mileage.
Use the correct fuel: Use the type of fuel recommended by your car's manufacturer.
Check tire pressure: Properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage.

Q: What are the benefits of good gas mileage?

A: Good gas mileage can provide several benefits, including:

Cost savings: Better gas mileage can save you money on fuel costs.
Environmental benefits: Lower fuel consumption can reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner environment.
Increased vehicle lifespan: Good gas mileage can help extend the life of your vehicle by reducing wear and tear on the engine and other components.

Q: How can I compare the gas mileage of different cars?

A: To compare the gas mileage of different cars, you can use the following steps:

Check the fuel economy ratings: Look up the fuel economy ratings for each car you're considering.
Calculate the gas mileage: Use the formula mentioned earlier to calculate the gas mileage for each car.
Compare the results: Compare the gas mileage of each car to determine which one is more fuel-efficient.

Q: What are some common myths about gas mileage?

A: Here are some common myths about gas mileage:

Myth: Gas mileage is directly related to the car's speed.
Reality: While speed can affect gas mileage, it's not the only factor. Other factors, such as driving habits and road conditions, can also impact gas mileage.
Myth: Gas mileage is only affected by the car's engine type.
Reality: While engine type can impact gas mileage, other factors, such as vehicle weight and driving habits, can also affect gas mileage.

Q: How can I find the best gas mileage for my car?

A: To find the best gas mileage for your car, you can:

Check the owner's manual: Look up the recommended fuel economy ratings for your car.
Use a fuel economy calculator: Use a fuel economy calculator to determine the best gas mileage for your car based on your driving habits and road conditions.
Consult with a mechanic: Consult with a mechanic to determine the best gas mileage for your car based on its condition and maintenance history.