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ASVAB · General

A tank is 3/4 full. After 12 gallons are removed, it is 1/2 full. What is the total capacity of the tank?

Correct answer

48 gallons

  1. A 36 gallons
  2. B 48 gallons
  3. C 24 gallons
  4. D 60 gallons

Why this is the answer

The 12 gallons removed represents the difference between 3/4 and 1/2 of the tank: 3/4 − 1/2 = 3/4 − 2/4 = 1/4. So 1/4 of the tank = 12 gallons. Total capacity = 12 × 4 = 48 gallons. ASVAB Arithmetic Reasoning tests fraction word problems. Strategy: find what fraction of the whole the known amount represents (here, 1/4 = 12 gallons), then scale up to the whole (multiply by 4). Check: 3/4 of 48 = 36; 1/2 of 48 = 24; 36 − 24 = 12. ✓
Source: ASVAB Arithmetic Reasoning — Fraction Word Problems

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