How many gallons of gasoline are used in the United States in one day? Assume that there are two cars for every three people, that each car is driven an average of 10,000 miles per year, and that the average car gets 20 miles per gallon.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Calculate the total number of cars in the United States by using the ratio of cars to people. Assume the population of the United States and use the given ratio of two cars for every three people.
2. Determine the total number of miles driven per day by all cars. Use the information that each car is driven an average of 10,000 miles per year.
3. Convert the total annual miles driven by all cars to daily miles by dividing the annual miles by 365 days.
4. Calculate the total gallons of gasoline used per day by all cars. Use the average fuel efficiency of the cars, which is 20 miles per gallon, to convert the total daily miles driven into gallons of gasoline consumed.
5. Summarize the total gallons of gasoline used per day in the United States based on the calculations.

Key Concepts

Fuel Consumption Calculation

To determine the total gasoline usage, one must calculate the total miles driven by all cars and then divide that by the car's fuel efficiency. This involves understanding how to convert annual mileage into daily usage and how to apply the miles per gallon (MPG) metric to find the total gallons consumed.

Population to Vehicle Ratio

The question states a ratio of cars to people, which is essential for estimating the number of cars in the United States. By knowing the population and the ratio of cars to people, one can calculate the total number of cars, which directly influences the total fuel consumption.

Average Driving Distance

The average driving distance per car is crucial for calculating fuel usage. In this scenario, the average of 10,000 miles per year must be converted to a daily figure to assess how much gasoline is consumed each day, highlighting the importance of understanding annual versus daily metrics in fuel consumption.