The speed of your automobile has a huge effect on fuel consumption. Traveling at

Question

The speed of your automobile has a huge effect on fuel consumption. Traveling at 65 miles per hour (mph) instead of 55 mph can consume almost 20% more fuel. As a general rule, for every mile per hour over 55, you lose 2% in fuel economy. For example, if your automobile gets 30 miles per gallon at 55 mph, the fuel consumption is 21 miles per gallon at 70 mph.
If you take a 400-mile trip and your average speed is 80 mph rather the posted speed limit of 70 mph, what is the extra cost of fuel if gasoline costs $ 3.00 per gallon? your car gets 30 miles per gallon (mpg) at 60 mph.

Explanation / Answer

Driving the speed limit:
Speed: 70 miles per hour (mph)
Fuel efficiency: 30 * (70-60)*(2%) = 30* 0.8 =24 mpg
Fuel amout for you 400-mile trip: 400/24= 16.67 gallon
Cost of fuel: 16.67 * $3= $50.01
Cost of time: 400/70 = 5.71 hrs

Exceeding the speed limit:
Speed: 80 miles per hour (mph)
Fuel efficiency: 30 * (80-60)*(2%) = 30* 0.6 =18 mpg
Fuel amout for you 400-mile trip: 400/18= 22.22 gallon
Cost of fuel: 22.22 * $3= $66.66
Cost of time: 400/80 = 5 hrs

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.