ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)Hard
A military base's fuel depot initially held 15,000 gallons of diesel. On Monday, 2/5 of the fuel was used. On Tuesday, 1/3 of the *original* amount of fuel was added back to the depot. How many gallons of diesel are now in the depot?
- A11,000 gallons
- B14,000 gallons
- C9,000 gallons
- D6,000 gallons
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 14,000 gallons
First, calculate the amount used on Monday (2/5 of 15,000). Subtract this to find the remaining fuel. Then, calculate the amount added on Tuesday (1/3 of *original* 15,000). Add this amount to the remaining fuel from Monday.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This might be the result of adding 1/3 of the *remaining* fuel, not the original.
- C. This is the amount remaining after Monday's use, not including the Tuesday addition.
- D. This is the amount used on Monday.
Mixed Fractional Inventory
When dealing with additions and subtractions of fractions, carefully determine if the fraction applies to the original total or the current remaining amount.
- Read problem statements carefully for 'of the original' vs 'of the remaining'.
- Involves both multiplication, subtraction, and addition.
- Sequential calculations are necessary.
Memory trick: Start, Subtract, Add, then you're Glad!