Skip over navigation
Cambridge University Faculty of Mathematics NRich logo
menu search
  • Teachers expand_more
    • Early years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
    • Events
    • Professional development
  • Students expand_more
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Parents expand_more
    • Early Years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Problem-Solving Schools
  • About NRICH expand_more
    • About us
    • Impact stories
    • Support us
    • Our funders
    • Contact us
  • search

Or search by topic

Number and algebra

  • The Number System and Place Value
  • Calculations and Numerical Methods
  • Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion
  • Properties of Numbers
  • Patterns, Sequences and Structure
  • Algebraic expressions, equations and formulae
  • Coordinates, Functions and Graphs

Geometry and measure

  • Angles, Polygons, and Geometrical Proof
  • 3D Geometry, Shape and Space
  • Measuring and calculating with units
  • Transformations and constructions
  • Pythagoras and Trigonometry
  • Vectors and Matrices

Probability and statistics

  • Handling, Processing and Representing Data
  • Probability

Working mathematically

  • Thinking mathematically
  • Developing positive attitudes
  • Cross-curricular contexts

Advanced mathematics

  • Decision Mathematics and Combinatorics
  • Advanced Probability and Statistics
  • Mechanics
  • Calculus

For younger learners

  • Early Years Foundation Stage

At the Pumps

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star
  • Problem
  • Getting Started
  • Student Solutions
  • Teachers' Resources

We had about 40 correct answers for this problem. Some of which are set out below. Beth used her good method for finding 12 times by breaking it down - well done! Shannon set it out all very logically to get the correct answer. Dana and one or two others said how they'd used the internet to find information. Ben's answer was different because a gallon measure is different in USA. I included Joe's as it is the first I've seen coming from the islands off Scotland. Finally, Abidine showed how to use many places of decimals and come up with a correct answer.

Well done all of you!



Beth
I found out that there was 4.5 litres in a gallon.
Say one litre cost £1.00,
How much would it cost if you needed to fill a 12 gallon petrol tank?
So one gallon costs £4.50p, two gallons cost £9.00, three gallons cost £13.50p, six gallons would cost £27.00, twelve gallons would cost a whopping £54.00.
So that's your answer!
Easy peasy lemon squeesy


Shannon
First I found out how many litres in a gallon and I came up with 4.55 litres.
Then I multiplied 4.55l by 12 to see how many litres were in 12 gallons and I got the answer of 54.60 litres.
Then I multiplied 54.60 litres by £1 and got the answer of £54.60

Dana
First I went on google and typed in how many liters are in 1 gallon and my answer from that was 4.5
So I added that 12 times and my answer from that was 54.0 so we put that in a money way and it was £54.00

Ben
1 gallon = 3.785 litres
12 gallons = (3.785 x 12) litres
(3.785 x 12) = 45.42
12 gallons = 45.42 litres
1 litre = £1
therefore 12 gallons cost £45.42

Joe
First of all I found out how many litres there are in a gallon > 4.55 then multiplied that by 10 > £45.50 then multiplied by 2 > 9.10
then I added them together > £54.60


Abidine
Well, I found out that 1 gallon contains 4.54609188 litres.
Therefore, to fill my 12 gallon petrol tank I had to multiply 4.54609188 by 12. That equals 54.55310256. with each litre costing £1.00, that meant you had to get the 4 most significant figures (pounds and pence), which is £54.55.


You may also like

Weighing Fruit

Can you use this information to estimate how much the different fruit selections weigh in kilos and pounds?

  • Tech help
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sign up to our newsletter
  • Twitter X logo

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

University of Cambridge logo NRICH logo