Diesel Fuel Prices Remind Me Of An Algebra Problem

[ThomWV]

Yesterday I went into town and wasn't much surprised to see that the price for diesel fuel was up to $4.39 a gallon. I had filled up my 40 gallon tank a week ago and haven't driven it far since; the truck still has three quarters of a tank full.

On the way home I passed the station again and the price sign prompted me to do some quick mental math. It would seem that the three quarters of a tank that I have now is worth as much as it cost me to fill the truck up a week ago. So, here's the problem, how much did diesel fuel cost a week ago?

[notadmblnd]

1. do veichles get more MPGs running on deisel that petro?

I figure that's why diesel is so much higher.

[ThomWV]

6. Traditionally diesel fuel cost pennys less than regual unleaded - they get much better milage

For instance, my 3/4-ton truck with a 444 cubic inch engine gets as much as 22 mpg on the highway. A comparative gas engined truck would get 10.

[notadmblnd]

7. thats what I thought

because diesel traditionally has been cheaper. I remember family members driving diesel cars in the 80's for that reason. I just figured that they have inflated the prices so as gouge the trucking industry just as they have done the little guy.

[mikeytherat]

2. $3.26?

mikey_the_rat

[tachyon]

3. Well, the price ratio is obviously 1 / .75 or 1.333

p is price last week

so 4.39 = 1.333 * p
p = 3.29

edit: of course you can do it the other way around too: last week it cost 3/4 or .75 what it is now so
.75 * 4.39 = 3.29
:D


The size of the tank doesn't matter. (Well it matters when the bill comes in) ;-)

[cliffordu]

4. Too much

I killed my car after 9/11 so I don't have to care how much fuel costs.

I do, however empathize with you.

:hug:

[rocktivity]

5. (Channeling junior high school algebra)

Start with magic words: "Let x equal..." :boring:

No, no--I'll take a crack at it:


Hmmm, maybe I should have followed my original instincts: :boring:

:rofl:
rocknation

[monmouth]

8. Channeling summer school for algerbra. Still only got a C..n/t

[Winterblues]

9. WOW you just solved the Big Bang Theory

:thumbsup:

[hatrack]

10. Wow, I think you just created an artificial singularity . . .

Between my ears - I can feel my brain shrinking!