Question

Meg started her trip with 11 1/2 gallons of gas in her car's gas tank. She bought an additional 6 4/5 gallons on her trip and arrived back home with 3 3/10 gallons left. How much gas did she use on the trip?

Answer 1

15 because you add 11 1/2 plus 6 4/5 which equals 18 3/10 then subtract 3 3/10 which is 15

Answer 2

15

Explanation:

This is an algebraic problem.

The amount at start is
`11(1)/(2)` gallons

Then bought additional gasoline:
`+ 6(4)/(5)`

The remainder after the trip =
`3(3)/(10)`

Then the amount of gas used is given by x.

This gives an equation:
`11(1)/(2) + 6(4)/(5) - x = 3(3)/(10)`

solving for x gives 15