Fuel Efficiency and Range Practice Questions — Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

Question 1Question →

A family rents an RV for a cross-country road trip. The RV has a fuel tank capacity of $55$ gallons and averages $12$ miles per gallon. If the driver begins with a completely full tank and plans to leave exactly $10$ gallons of fuel in the tank as a safety reserve, what is the maximum number of miles the RV can travel before needing to refuel?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: 540

Answer

540

The correct distance is found by first determining the amount of fuel that can actually be used for the trip. Out of the

55

gallons,

10

must remain in the tank, leaving

45

gallons available. At a rate of

12

miles for every gallon, the RV can travel

45

multiplied by

12

, which equals

540

miles.

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Determine the usable fuel by subtracting the reserve from the total capacity.

55 - 10 = 45

gallons

The driver will not use the bottom 10 gallons of the tank, so this fuel cannot contribute to the travel distance.

2

Calculate the maximum distance using the usable fuel and the fuel efficiency rate.

45 \times 12 = 540

miles

Distance equals the amount of fuel used multiplied by the miles per gallon.

Key Concept

Fuel Efficiency and Range calculations involving partial tank usage and safety reserves.

Alternative Method

You could also calculate the total theoretical distance the RV could travel on a full tank (

55 \times 12 = 660

miles) and subtract the distance that would be covered by the

10

-gallon reserve (

10 \times 12 = 120

miles).

660 - 120 = 540

miles.

Estimated Time:1m 0s

Question 2Question →

A military patrol boat consumes 40 gallons of fuel per hour and travels at a constant speed of 20 miles per hour. If the boat completes a round trip to an island 60 miles away, how many gallons of fuel will it use in total?

6

60

120

240

Show answer & explanation

Answer: 240

Answer

The boat will use a total of 240 gallons of fuel.

First, find the total distance for the round trip, which is

120

miles (

60

miles each way). At a speed of

20

miles per hour, the entire trip takes

6

hours (

120 \div 20

). Since the boat burns

40

gallons per hour, multiply the time by the fuel rate to find the total fuel consumed:

6 \times 40 = 240

gallons.

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Calculate the total distance for the round trip.

60 \times 2 = 120

miles

The boat must travel to the island and then return along the same route.

2

Calculate the total travel time in hours.

120 \div 20 = 6

hours

Time is equal to total distance divided by the constant speed.

3

Calculate the total fuel consumed.

6 \times 40 = 240

gallons

Total fuel used is the travel time multiplied by the hourly fuel consumption rate.

Key Concept

Calculating total fuel consumption for a round trip using speed, distance, and fuel rate.

Alternative Method

Find the fuel consumption per mile first:

40

gallons per hour

\div 20

miles per hour =

2

gallons per mile. Then, multiply this rate by the total round-trip distance:

120

miles

\times 2

gallons per mile =

240

gallons.

Estimated Time:45s

Question 3Question →

Match each vehicle trip scenario to the total number of gallons of fuel required to complete the journey.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The scout vehicle requires 5 gallons, the transport truck requires 12 gallons, the command SUV requires 16 gallons, and the hybrid commuter car requires 7 gallons.

The correct pairings are found by properly applying the formula: Gallons Consumed = Total Distance ÷ Fuel Efficiency (MPG). Performing this calculation for each scenario accurately identifies the fuel requirement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Calculate the fuel required for the scout vehicle.

150 / 30 = 5 gallons.

Dividing the total travel distance by the vehicle's fuel efficiency (MPG) determines the total fuel consumed.

2

Calculate the fuel required for the transport truck.

240 / 20 = 12 gallons.

Dividing the total travel distance by the vehicle's fuel efficiency (MPG) determines the total fuel consumed.

3

Calculate the fuel required for the command SUV.

400 / 25 = 16 gallons.

Dividing the total travel distance by the vehicle's fuel efficiency (MPG) determines the total fuel consumed.

4

Calculate the fuel required for the hybrid commuter car.

350 / 50 = 7 gallons.

Dividing the total travel distance by the vehicle's fuel efficiency (MPG) determines the total fuel consumed.

Key Concept

Calculating total fuel consumption given total travel distance and fuel efficiency.

Question 4Question →

A courier's motorcycle has a fuel efficiency of $40$ miles per gallon. The courier uses exactly $2.5$ gallons of fuel to complete a round trip from the dispatch center to a customer's location and back. What is the one-way distance between the dispatch center and the customer's location?

5

16

50

100

Show answer & explanation

Answer: 50

Answer

The one-way distance is

50

miles.

To find the one-way distance, first determine the total distance traveled by multiplying the fuel efficiency by the amount of fuel used:

40 \text{ miles/gallon} \times 2.5 \text{ gallons} = 100 \text{ miles}

. Since this is a round trip, divide the total distance by

2

to find the one-way distance:

100 \div 2 = 50 \text{ miles}

.

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Calculate the total distance traveled using the fuel efficiency and total fuel used.

40 \text{ miles/gallon} \times 2.5 \text{ gallons} = 100 \text{ miles}

Total distance is the product of the rate of fuel consumption (efficiency) and the amount of fuel consumed.

2

Calculate the one-way distance by dividing the total round trip distance in half.

100 \text{ miles} \div 2 = 50 \text{ miles}

A round trip consists of two equal segments (going and returning), so the one-way distance is half of the total distance.

Key Concept

Calculating distance from fuel efficiency and separating round trip distance into one-way legs.

Question 5Question →

During a training exercise, an army jeep travels at a constant fuel consumption rate of 14 miles per gallon. If the jeep starts with exactly 8 gallons of fuel in its tank, what is the maximum number of miles the jeep can travel before running out of gas?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: 112

Answer

112

The correct answer is found by multiplying the fuel efficiency rate (14 miles per gallon) by the amount of fuel in the tank (8 gallons). 14 * 8 equals 112 miles.

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Identify the given values

Fuel efficiency = 14 miles per gallon, Fuel available = 8 gallons

These are the necessary components to calculate total distance.

2

Calculate the total distance

14 * 8 = 112 miles

Distance is the product of the rate of fuel consumption (miles per gallon) and the total amount of fuel (gallons).

Key Concept

Calculating maximum travel range based on fuel efficiency and fuel volume.

Question 6Question →

An interstate bus travels from a central terminal to a destination city $150$ miles away and immediately returns along the same route. The bus averages a fuel efficiency of $12$ miles per gallon. If the bus starts the journey with exactly $60$ gallons of fuel, how many gallons of fuel will remain in the tank at the end of the round trip?

25

35

47.5

57.5

Show answer & explanation

Answer: 35

Answer

There will be 35 gallons of fuel remaining in the tank.

The correct answer is derived by first finding the total round-trip distance, which is

150 \times 2 = 300

miles. Dividing this distance by the fuel efficiency of

12

miles per gallon gives the total fuel consumed:

300 \div 12 = 25

gallons. Finally, subtracting the consumed fuel from the initial

60

gallons yields the remaining amount:

60 - 25 = 35

gallons.

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Calculate the total distance for the round trip.

150 miles * 2 = 300 miles

The bus travels to the destination and returns, meaning the one-way distance must be doubled.

2

Determine the total fuel consumed during the entire trip.

300 miles / 12 miles per gallon = 25 gallons

Dividing the total distance by the fuel efficiency gives the total amount of fuel required.

3

Calculate the remaining fuel in the tank.

60 gallons - 25 gallons = 35 gallons

Subtracting the consumed fuel from the initial fuel amount provides the remaining balance.

Key Concept

Calculating remaining fuel by finding the total round-trip distance, dividing by fuel efficiency to find consumed fuel, and subtracting from initial capacity.

Question 7Question →

A maritime supply vessel consumes fuel at a rate of $2.5$ gallons per mile. The vessel leaves its home port with exactly $500$ gallons of fuel to complete a round-trip delivery to an offshore research station located $70$ miles away. Assuming the fuel consumption rate remains constant, how many gallons of fuel will remain in the tank when the vessel returns to its home port?

150

325

444

465

Show answer & explanation

Answer: $150$

Answer

150 gallons

The total distance for the round trip is 140 miles (70 miles each way). Multiplying this distance by the consumption rate of 2.5 gallons per mile gives a total fuel usage of 350 gallons. Subtracting the 350 gallons used from the initial 500 gallons leaves 150 gallons of fuel remaining.

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Calculate the total round-trip distance.

70 \times 2 = 140

miles

The vessel must travel to the station and back to the home port.

2

Determine the total amount of fuel consumed.

140 \times 2.5 = 350

gallons

Multiply the total miles by the gallons consumed per mile to find the overall fuel usage.

3

Calculate the remaining fuel in the tank.

500 - 350 = 150

gallons

Subtract the total fuel consumed from the starting amount of fuel.

Key Concept

Calculating total fuel consumption based on distance and burn rate, and applying it to a starting capacity.

Question 8Question →

Match each vehicle's fuel scenario to its calculated maximum usable travel range.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Delivery van matches to

320

miles, heavy transport truck matches to

375

miles, fleet car matches to

420

miles, and rural mail carrier matches to

270

miles.

Each vehicle's range is successfully calculated by isolating the total usable fuel and applying its specific rate of fuel consumption (such as miles per gallon).

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Calculate the usable range for the delivery van.

The van has

20

usable gallons (

25 - 5

). Multiplying by

16

mpg gives

320

miles.

The

5

-gallon reserve must be subtracted before multiplying by the fuel efficiency.

2

Calculate the usable range for the heavy transport truck.

The truck travels

25

miles per

3

gallons. With

45

gallons, it can make

15

sets of this distance (

45 \div 3 = 15

).

15 \times 25 = 375

miles.

Setting up a direct proportion allows for finding total distance based on the consumption rate.

3

Calculate the usable range for the fleet car.

The car's efficiency is

180 \div 6 = 30

mpg. With

14

gallons, the range is

14 \times 30 = 420

miles.

Finding the unit rate (mpg) first makes it easy to multiply by the total fuel capacity.

4

Calculate the usable range for the rural mail carrier.

The carrier's efficiency is

60 \div 4 = 15

mpg. With

18

gallons, the range is

18 \times 15 = 270

miles.

Similar to the fleet car, dividing distance by gallons used provides the unit rate needed to find the maximum range.

Key Concept

Calculating distance by determining fuel efficiency (unit rate) and multiplying it by the available usable fuel.

Question 9Question →

An armored transport vehicle has a $50$ -gallon fuel tank and averages $20$ miles per gallon on paved roads. When driving on unpaved terrain, its fuel efficiency drops to $12$ miles per gallon. The vehicle begins a mission with a completely full tank and drives $160$ miles on paved roads before switching to unpaved terrain for the remainder of the trip. If the vehicle reaches its destination with exactly $12$ gallons of fuel remaining, how many miles did it travel on the unpaved terrain?

360

456

504

600

Show answer & explanation

Answer: $360$

Answer

The vehicle traveled

360

miles on the unpaved terrain.

To find the distance traveled on unpaved terrain, we must isolate the fuel used exclusively for that portion. The vehicle started with

50

gallons and ended with

12

gallons, meaning

38

gallons were used overall. The

160

-mile paved segment at

20

mpg consumed

8

gallons. Subtracting these

8

gallons from the

38

total used leaves

30

gallons burned on the unpaved terrain. Multiplying

30

gallons by the unpaved efficiency of

12

mpg results in

360

miles.

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Calculate the fuel consumed on the paved roads.

160 \text{ miles} \div 20 \text{ mpg} = 8 \text{ gallons}

.

This establishes how much fuel was removed from the tank before the vehicle hit the unpaved terrain.

2

Calculate the total amount of fuel consumed during the entire mission.

50 \text{ gallons} - 12 \text{ gallons} = 38 \text{ gallons}

.

Subtracting the remaining fuel from the starting capacity gives the total fuel burned across both terrain types.

3

Determine the fuel used specifically on the unpaved terrain.

38 \text{ gallons} - 8 \text{ gallons} = 30 \text{ gallons}

.

Subtracting the paved road fuel usage from the total fuel usage isolates the fuel dedicated to the unpaved portion of the trip.

4

Calculate the distance traveled on the unpaved terrain.

30 \text{ gallons} \times 12 \text{ mpg} = 360 \text{ miles}

.

Multiplying the fuel used by the specific fuel efficiency for that terrain yields the correct distance.

Key Concept

Multi-segment fuel consumption and efficiency rate changes.

Question 10Question →

A heavy equipment transporter has a maximum fuel capacity of $250$ gallons and operates with a fuel efficiency of $4$ 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 $50$ gallons of fuel in reserve. What is the maximum one-way distance, in miles, the transporter can travel to the remote site without refueling?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: 400

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

1

Determine the amount of usable fuel available for the mission.

200 gallons

The transporter has a 250-gallon tank but must retain a 50-gallon reserve upon return, meaning only 200 gallons can be consumed during the trip.

2

Calculate the total distance the vehicle can travel using the usable fuel.

800 miles

Multiplying the 200 gallons of usable fuel by the vehicle's fuel efficiency of 4 miles per gallon gives the total range.

3

Determine the maximum one-way distance.

400 miles

Because the mission is a round trip along the same route, the total range must cover the distance to the site and back. Therefore, the one-way distance is half of the total range.

Key Concept

Calculating one-way distance using fuel efficiency, total fuel capacity, required reserves, and accounting for round-trip constraints.

Question 11Question →

A cargo transport truck travels from a central depot to a regional distribution center $120$ miles away and returns to the depot along the same route. The truck operates with a fuel efficiency of $15$ miles per gallon. If diesel fuel costs $\$3.50$ per gallon, what is the total fuel cost for this complete round trip?

\$28.00

\$5.60

\$56.00

\$16.00

Show answer & explanation

Answer: $\$56.00$

Answer

The total fuel cost for the complete round trip is

\$56.00

.

The total distance for the round trip is twice the one-way distance (

240

miles). Dividing this distance by the fuel efficiency (

15

miles per gallon) gives the total fuel consumed, which is

16

gallons. Finally, multiplying the

16

gallons by the unit price of

\$3.50

per gallon results in the correct total cost of

\$56.00

.

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Calculate the total distance driven for the round trip.

120 \times 2 = 240

miles

The truck travels to the center and returns along the same route, so the one-way distance must be doubled.

2

Calculate the total amount of fuel consumed.

240 \div 15 = 16

gallons

Dividing the total distance by the fuel efficiency (miles per gallon) gives the total volume of fuel used.

3

Calculate the final monetary cost of the fuel.

16 \times \$3.50 = \$56.00

Multiplying the total gallons consumed by the price per gallon yields the total cost.

Key Concept

Fuel Efficiency and Range

Alternative Method

You can also calculate the fuel cost per mile first:

\$3.50

per gallon

\div 15

miles per gallon =

\$0.2333...

per mile. Then multiply this per-mile cost by the total round-trip distance of

240

miles to arrive at the

\$56.00

total.

Estimated Time:45s

Question 12Question →

A military supply convoy travels from Base Alpha to Base Bravo, a distance of 180 miles, and then returns along the exact same route. Fully loaded on the outbound trip, the convoy vehicles average 12 miles per gallon (MPG). Empty on the return trip, they average 15 MPG. If standard diesel fuel costs $4.00 per gallon, what is the total cost of fuel consumed by one vehicle for the entire round trip?

$108.00

$60.00

$6.75

$10.80

Show answer & explanation

Answer: $108.00

Answer

The total cost of fuel for the round trip is $108.00.

The correct answer accurately determines the total fuel by breaking the round trip into two separate legs with different efficiencies. The outbound leg requires 15 gallons (180 / 12) and the return leg requires 12 gallons (180 / 15), for a total of 27 gallons. Multiplying this total by the

4.00 price per gallon yields

108.00.

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Calculate the fuel consumed on the outbound trip.

180 miles / 12 MPG = 15 gallons

Dividing distance by fuel efficiency gives the amount of fuel used for the first leg.

2

Calculate the fuel consumed on the return trip.

180 miles / 15 MPG = 12 gallons

The return trip covers the same distance but at a different fuel efficiency because the vehicle is empty.

3

Determine the total amount of fuel consumed for the entire round trip.

15 gallons + 12 gallons = 27 gallons

Adding the fuel from both legs gives the total fuel requirement.

4

Calculate the total cost of the fuel.

27 gallons *

4.00/gallon =

108.00

Multiplying the total gallons used by the price per gallon yields the final cost.

Key Concept

Multi-step fuel efficiency and round-trip cost calculation.

Question 13Question →

Match each vehicle scenario to its calculated maximum usable travel range in miles.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct matches are: Delivery Truck corresponds to 608 miles, Patrol Boat corresponds to 576 miles, Light Aircraft corresponds to 590 miles, and Recreational Vehicle corresponds to 624 miles.

Each vehicle's range is properly determined by finding the product of its available fuel and fuel efficiency rate for each specific segment of travel, ensuring reserves and phase-specific rates are accurately applied.

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Calculate the maximum range for the Delivery Truck.

City range is

288

miles and highway range is

320

miles, yielding a total of

608

miles.

Efficiency varies by driving condition, so total range is the sum of the calculated ranges for each proportional fuel segment.

2

Calculate the maximum range for the Patrol Boat.

Usable fuel is

96

gallons, yielding a range of

576

miles.

The

20\%

mandatory reserve cannot be used for the travel range calculation, meaning only

80\%

of the tank is available.

3

Calculate the maximum range for the Light Aircraft.

Remaining fuel is

270

gallons providing a cruise range of

540

miles. Adding the initial

50

miles yields

590

miles.

Total range includes both the ascent distance and the subsequent cruise distance.

4

Calculate the maximum range for the Recreational Vehicle.

Efficiency is

12

mpg, leading to a maximum range of

624

miles on a

52

-gallon tank.

The efficiency rate is constant, so it is derived from the prior trip and applied to the new full tank.

Key Concept

Calculating maximum range by determining usable fuel volumes and applying multiple rates of efficiency.

Fuel Efficiency and Range

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Alternative Method

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Alternative Method

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Alternative Method

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes