Question

Tom just filled both of the family vehicles with gas at a local station. The total cost for 20 gallons of regular unleaded and 17 gallons of premium unleaded was $144.89. The premium gas was $0.10 more per gallon than the regular gas. Find the price per gallon of each type of gas.

Answer 1

To find the price per gallon of regular unleaded gas and premium unleaded gas, we can set up and solve a system of equations.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve this problem, we can set up a system of equations. Let's denote the price per gallon of regular unleaded gas as x. Since premium unleaded gas is $0.10 more per gallon, we can express the price per gallon of premium unleaded gas as x + 0.10.

The cost for 20 gallons of regular unleaded gas will be 20x, and the cost for 17 gallons of premium unleaded gas will be 17(x + 0.10). The total cost for both types of gas is given as $144.89, so we can write the equation:

20x + 17(x + 0.10) = 144.89

Simplifying the equation, we get:

20x + 17x + 1.70 = 144.89

Combining like terms, we have:

37x + 1.70 = 144.89

Subtracting 1.70 from both sides, we get:

37x = 143.19

Dividing both sides by 37, we find:

x = 3.87

Therefore, the price per gallon of regular unleaded gas is $3.87, and the price per gallon of premium unleaded gas is $3.87 + $0.10 = $3.97.