Starting with a full tank of gas, you drive 363 miles. Then you refuel. It takes 11 gallons to fill the tank. How many miles per gallon did you get?

Question

This is for a pre-algebra class, solving equations using multiplication or division.

Examples:  3x=12, x=4          9=w/7, w=63

 

Answer 1

It is important that you started with a full tank and it took 11 gallons to re-fill the tank.  That means that you used 11 gallons.

 

Now, just put the miles over the gallons to get miles per gallon (or miles/gallon):

       363 miles / 11 gallons  =  33 miles / gallon     (note: this is an overall average rate)

Answer 2

Krina,

Given that you drove 363 miles on 11 gallons,

the equation will be

let       x represent the number of miles per gallon, and

11x the number of miles using 11 gallons of fuel that is 363 miles

11x=363

(11x)/11= 363/11    (divide both sides by 11)

 

So, x=33. The number of miles per 1 gallon of fuel is 33 miles