ASVAB · Word Problems

A car travels 240 miles on 8 gallons of gas. How many miles per gallon does it get?

Correct answer

30 mpg

  1. A 28 mpg
  2. B 26 mpg
  3. C 30 mpg
  4. D 32 mpg

Why this is the answer

MILES PER GALLON = total miles ÷ gallons used = 240 ÷ 8 = 30 mpg. ASVAB Arithmetic Reasoning tests rate/word problems. 'Per gallon' signals division (miles divided by gallons). Set it up as a unit rate: 240 miles / 8 gallons = 30 miles/gallon. Strategy: identify what's being asked (a rate, 'per' something), then divide the total by the number of units. Check: 30 mpg × 8 gallons = 240 miles. ✓
Source: ASVAB Arithmetic Reasoning — Rate Problems

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About this topic: Word Problems

Arithmetic Reasoning is almost entirely word problems: the maths is basic, the skill is translating a sentence into an operation — rate × time, part of a whole, unit price, remaining amount. Read for the question being asked, write the setup before calculating, and sanity-check the answer against the choices. This is one of 7 Arithmetic Reasoning questions on word problems, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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