A patrol car's fuel tank holds 20 gallons. If it currently has 3/4 tank, and it is filled to full, how many gallons are added?

Study for the NYPD Auxiliary Police Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

A patrol car's fuel tank holds 20 gallons. If it currently has 3/4 tank, and it is filled to full, how many gallons are added?

Explanation:
Converting a fraction of a whole into an actual quantity is what this problem tests. The tank holds 20 gallons, and it’s currently three quarters full, so you have 3/4 of 20, which equals 15 gallons. To reach full capacity, you need to add 20 − 15 = 5 gallons. So five gallons should be added. The other options don’t fit: adding two would leave 17 gallons (not full), and adding eight or ten would push the total above the tank’s 20-gallon capacity.

Converting a fraction of a whole into an actual quantity is what this problem tests. The tank holds 20 gallons, and it’s currently three quarters full, so you have 3/4 of 20, which equals 15 gallons. To reach full capacity, you need to add 20 − 15 = 5 gallons. So five gallons should be added. The other options don’t fit: adding two would leave 17 gallons (not full), and adding eight or ten would push the total above the tank’s 20-gallon capacity.

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