Regularly maintain your car

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 86 views

**Nick's Fuel Efficiency Dilemma: A Mathematical Analysis**

Nick is a car enthusiast with two vehicles, Car A and Car B, each using a different type of fuel: petrol and diesel, respectively. The prices of these fuels are £1.39 per litre for petrol and £1.47 per litre for diesel. In this article, we will delve into the average distance that Nick can drive each car using 1 litre of fuel, as presented in the table below.

The Table

Car	Average Distance per Litre
Car A (Petrol)	12 miles
Car B (Diesel)	15 miles

Q1: What is the cost of driving Car A for 1 mile?

A1: To calculate the cost of driving Car A for 1 mile, we need to multiply the cost of petrol per litre (£1.39) by the average distance per litre (12 miles). This gives us:

£1.39 per litre × 12 miles per litre = £16.68 per mile

Q2: What is the cost of driving Car B for 1 mile?

A2: Similarly, to calculate the cost of driving Car B for 1 mile, we need to multiply the cost of diesel per litre (£1.47) by the average distance per litre (15 miles). This gives us:

£1.47 per litre × 15 miles per litre = £22.05 per mile

Q3: Which car is more fuel-efficient?

A3: Based on the table, Car B (Diesel) is more fuel-efficient, as it can travel 15 miles per litre, compared to Car A (Petrol) which can only travel 12 miles per litre.

Q4: How much more fuel-efficient is Car B compared to Car A?

A4: To determine the difference in fuel efficiency between the two cars, we can calculate the ratio of their average distances per litre:

(15 miles per litre) ÷ (12 miles per litre) = 1.25

This means that Car B is 1.25 times more fuel-efficient than Car A.

Q5: What is the total cost of driving Car A for 100 miles?

A5: To calculate the total cost of driving Car A for 100 miles, we need to multiply the cost of driving Car A for 1 mile (£16.68) by the total distance (100 miles):

£16.68 per mile × 100 miles = £1668

Q6: What is the total cost of driving Car B for 100 miles?

A6: Similarly, to calculate the total cost of driving Car B for 100 miles, we need to multiply the cost of driving Car B for 1 mile (£22.05) by the total distance (100 miles):

£22.05 per mile × 100 miles = £2205

Q7: Which car is more cost-effective for long-distance driving?

A7: Based on the calculations, Car A (Petrol) is more cost-effective for long-distance driving, as it costs £1668 to drive 100 miles, compared to £2205 for Car B (Diesel).

Q8: What factors can affect the fuel efficiency of a car?

A8: Several factors can affect the fuel efficiency of a car, including:

Weight: Heavier cars tend to be less fuel-efficient.
Aerodynamics: Cars with a more aerodynamic design tend to be more fuel-efficient.
Engine size: Smaller engines tend to be more fuel-efficient.
Transmission: Manual transmissions tend to be more fuel-efficient than automatic transmissions.
Driving habits: Aggressive driving habits, such as speeding and rapid acceleration, can decrease fuel efficiency.

Q9: How can I improve the fuel efficiency of my car?

A9: To improve the fuel efficiency of your car, you can:

Regularly maintain your car: Regular maintenance, such as oil changes and tire rotations, can help improve fuel efficiency.
Drive smoothly: Avoid aggressive driving habits, such as speeding and rapid acceleration.
Remove extra weight: Remove any unnecessary items from your car to reduce its weight.
Use the correct fuel: Use the type of fuel recommended by your car's manufacturer.
Check your tire pressure: Properly inflated tires can improve fuel efficiency.

Q10: What are some alternative fuel options for cars?

A10: Some alternative fuel options for cars include:

Electric vehicles: Electric vehicles run on electricity from a battery and do not produce any emissions.
Hybrid vehicles: Hybrid vehicles use a combination of a conventional engine and an electric motor to improve fuel efficiency.
Biofuels: Biofuels are fuels made from organic matter, such as plants and waste.
Compressed natural gas (CNG): CNG is a fuel made from natural gas that is compressed and stored in a tank.
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG): LPG is a fuel made from a mixture of propane and butane that is liquefied and stored in a tank.