Warm-up
How do you usually get to school?
- Walk or bike
- Bus
- Ride from family or a friend
- I drive myself
Hands up for your answer.
Top story
Gas is still around $4.29 a gallon.
- AAA says the U.S. average for a gallon of gas was $4.29 on October 25.
- That is down from $4.41 on October 1, but still high.
- AAA says crude oil is again close to $100 a barrel.
$4.29
the average price of a gallon of gas in the U.S. on October 25
Talk about itIf gas costs this much, how would it change the way you get to school, a job or a friend's house?
Your money: What a trip really costs: the gas math
Miles ÷ mpg = gallons. Gallons × price = cost.
Do the math before the trip, not after.
- 100 miles ÷ 25 mpg = 4 gallons
- 4 gallons × $4.29 = $17.16
- 10 gallons × $4.41 = $44.10
- 10 gallons × $4.29 = $42.90
TakeawayBefore a long drive or a new job, work out the gas cost so you know what you are really spending.
Guess the number
A car gets 25 miles per gallon. Gas is $4.29 a gallon. About how much does a 100-mile trip cost in gas?
about $17
100 ÷ 25 = 4 gallons. 4 × $4.29 = $17.16, which is about $17.
Pop quiz
A car gets 20 miles per gallon and gas costs $4 a gallon. About how much does a 100-mile trip cost in gas?
- A$20
- B$25
- C$16
- D$80
A. $20. 100 ÷ 20 = 5 gallons. 5 × $4 = $20.
Discuss
When a friend drives you around, who should pay for the gas, and how should you split it?
Worksheet
Today's worksheet
The story, the money lesson and questions, with an answer key on its own page.
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