Daniel, this is the solution to the problem:
Step 1: Let's review the information given to us to answer the problem correctly:
• Blue car can travel 30 1/2 miles using 1 1/4 gallons of gasoline.
,• Red car can travel 24 4/5 miles using 4/5 gallon of gasoline.
Step 2: Let's find the unit rate for miles per gallon for each car using Direct Rule of Three, as follows:
Blue car:
30 1/2 = 30.5
1 1/4 = 1.25
Miles Gasoline
30.5 1.25
x 1
_____________
1.25x = 30.5 * 1
1.25x = 30.5
Dividing by 1.25 at both sides:
1.25x/1.25 = 30.5/1.25
x = 24.4 or 24 2/5 miles per gallon (blue car)
Red car:
24 4/5 = 24.8
4/5 = 0.8
Miles Gasoline
24.8 0.8
x 1
______________
0.8x = 24.8 * 1
0.8x = 24.8
Dividing by 0.8 at both sides:
0.8x/0.8 = 24.8/0.8
x = 31 miles per gallon (red car)