To calculate the total gas needed for a trip, you first determine the amount of gas required and then consider the price to find the total cost.
Steps to Calculate Total Gas Cost:
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Determine the Trip Distance: Know the total distance you'll be traveling (e.g., 300 miles).
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Know Your Vehicle's MPG: Find out your vehicle's Miles Per Gallon (MPG) rating (e.g., 30 MPG). This information is usually found in your car's manual or by estimating based on previous trips.
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Calculate Gallons Needed: Divide the total trip distance by your vehicle's MPG to find out how many gallons of gas you'll need.
- Formula: Gallons Needed = Trip Distance / MPG
- Example: Gallons Needed = 300 miles / 30 MPG = 10 gallons
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Determine the Price Per Gallon: Check the current price of gas per gallon at your destination or along your route (e.g., $4.00 per gallon).
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Calculate Total Gas Cost: Multiply the number of gallons needed by the price per gallon.
- Formula: Total Gas Cost = Gallons Needed * Price Per Gallon
- Example: Total Gas Cost = 10 gallons * $4.00/gallon = $40.00
Summary
Therefore, for a 300-mile trip in a car that gets 30 MPG, with gas costing $4.00 per gallon, the total gas cost would be $40.00. This calculation helps in budgeting for travel expenses.