ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)Medium
A military vehicle's fuel tank is 3/4 full. After a mission, it uses 1/3 of the fuel currently in the tank. What fraction of the *original* full tank is now remaining?
- A5/12
- B1/2
- C2/3
- D1/4
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 1/2
First, calculate the fraction of the fuel used in relation to the original tank. Then, subtract this used fraction from the initial full fraction to find the remaining fraction.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This option is incorrect; it might result from an arithmetic error when subtracting fractions.
- C. This option is incorrect; it might result from incorrectly calculating the used fraction or the remaining fraction.
- D. This option is incorrect; it might result from subtracting 1/3 from 3/4 directly or other calculation errors.
Fractional Decrease
Fractional decrease involves calculating a reduction where the amount removed is a fraction of a *current* fractional quantity, then finding the resulting fraction of the original whole.
- The 'of' in '1/3 of the fuel' means multiplication.
- The reduction applies to the *current* amount, not always the original total.
- Final answer must be in relation to the *original* whole.
Memory trick: Cutting a slice from a partially eaten pie.