Problem 441 - Prealgebra

Question

Miles per gallon Susana’s hybrid car gets 45 miles per gallon. Her son’s truck gets 17 miles per gallon. What is the difference in miles per gallon between Susana’s car and her son’s truck?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The difference is 28 miles per gallon.

Step 1 - Identify the Mileage of Each Vehicle

Susana’s hybrid car gets 45 miles per gallon. Her son’s truck gets 17 miles per gallon. Note these values as they will be used in the next steps.

Step 2 - Set Up the Subtraction Problem

To find the difference between the mileages, set up a subtraction problem where you subtract the son’s truck mileage from Susana’s hybrid car mileage: 45 miles per gallon - 17 miles per gallon.

Step 3 - Perform the Subtraction

Subtract the mileage of the son’s truck from that of Susana’s car: 45 - 17 = 28.

Step 4 - Interpret the Result

The difference in miles per gallon between Susana’s car and her son’s truck is 28 miles per gallon.

Key Concepts

Understanding Subtraction

Subtraction is one of the fundamental operations in arithmetic. It involves taking one number away from another. In essence, it tells us how much more or less one number is compared to another. Let's break it down: when you have two values, say A and B, and you need to find how many units B is less than A, you subtract B from A (A - B). For instance, if you have 45 apples and you give away 17, you are left with 28 apples. In our exercise, Susana’s car mileage (45) is higher than her son's truck mileage (17). Subtraction helps us find the difference between these two values. First, set up the subtraction problem by placing the larger number (45) above the smaller number (17). Then, perform the arithmetic operation: 45 - 17 = 28. We obtain that the difference is 28 miles per gallon.

Vehicle Mileage Comparison

Vehicle mileage comparison is crucial when deciding which vehicle is more fuel-efficient. In our example, Susana's hybrid car and her son's truck have different mileages. By comparing these mileages, we can understand how much fuel each vehicle consumes to travel the same distance. Susana’s hybrid car gets 45 miles per gallon, meaning it can travel 45 miles on one gallon of fuel. Her son’s truck gets only 17 miles per gallon. To find out how much more efficient the hybrid car is, we use subtraction: 45 miles per gallon - 17 miles per gallon = 28 miles per gallon. This tells us that Susana’s car travels 28 more miles per gallon than her son's truck. Comparing vehicle mileage helps in making informed decisions about fuel costs, environmental impact, and overall vehicle economy. It's handy when planning long trips or everyday commutes.

Math Problem-Solving Steps

Solving math problems involves a few structured steps to arrive at the correct answer. In our exercise, we can outline these steps to make the process clear.

• Step 1: Identify the Values - Determine the values you will be working with. In this case, the mileages of the hybrid car and the truck (45 and 17 miles per gallon, respectively).
• Step 2: Set Up the Problem - Write the problem in a way that makes it easy to solve. Here, it’s a subtraction problem: 45 - 17.
• Step 3: Perform the Calculation - Carry out the arithmetic operation. Subtract 17 from 45 to get 28.
• Step 4: Interpret the Result - Understand what the result means in the context of the problem. The solution tells us that there is a 28-mile difference in the mileage between Susana's car and her son's truck.

Following such steps ensures that you tackle math problems systematically, reducing errors and increasing understanding. Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep working through problems step by step, and you'll become more confident in your math skills.