A heavy equipment transporter has a maximum fuel capacity of gallons and operates with a fuel efficiency of miles per gallon. The vehicle is dispatched to deliver cargo to a remote site and immediately return to its base along the same route. Military regulations require the transporter to arrive back at base with a minimum of gallons of fuel in reserve. What is the maximum one-way distance, in miles, the transporter can travel to the remote site without refueling?
Answer: 400 miles
Answer
The maximum one-way distance the transporter can travel is 400 miles.
The correct answer is derived by first identifying the usable fuel (250 - 50 = 200 gallons). Next, the total round-trip distance is calculated by multiplying the usable fuel by the fuel efficiency (200 gallons * 4 miles/gallon = 800 miles). Finally, since the vehicle must travel to the site and return, the total range is divided by 2, resulting in a maximum one-way distance of 400 miles.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Calculating one-way distance using fuel efficiency, total fuel capacity, required reserves, and accounting for round-trip constraints.