SOLUTION: Okay so I have this problem that I believe I know how to do, but the only problem is that I don't know how I would convert miles to a year. That was where I was really stuck. Here

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Unit conversion -> SOLUTION: Okay so I have this problem that I believe I know how to do, but the only problem is that I don't know how I would convert miles to a year. That was where I was really stuck. Here      Log On

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Question 237388: Okay so I have this problem that I believe I know how to do, but the only problem is that I don't know how I would convert miles to a year. That was where I was really stuck. Here's the problem:
"Sommer wants to buy a new car. She currently drives a car that gets 30 miles per gallon. She is contemplating buying a car that get's 40 miles per gallon. Sommer drives 15,000 miles per year. Assume that gas costs $1.65 per gallon the entire year. How much will Sommer save on gas in 1 year if she buys the new car?"
I know the question is to find the money amount for how much gas is saved, but then that's also another problem I have is how to find that. If anyone knows how to go about solving this problem or setting it up, please let me know! Thank
you so much!
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Just looking at the units:
(miles/year) / (miles/gallon) = (miles/year) x (gallons/mile) = gallons/year
given:
She drives 15000 miles/year
Her present car gets 30 miles/gallon
15000%2F30+=+500 gallons/year
The car she wants gets 40 miles/gallon
15000%2F40+=+375 gallons/year
and
Gas is $1.65/gallon for the year
For old car:
500gallons/year x 1.65 dollars/gallon = 825 dollars/year
For new car:
375gallons/year x 1.65 dollars/gallon = 618.75 dollars/year
825+-+618.75+=+206.25
In the 1st year, she'll save $206.25