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Math and Mental Ability Data Sufficiency

Read the problem below; then answer the question that follows.

Wei-Jen and Sue are going to drive cross country. To reach their destination, they plan to drive about 400 miles each day for 5 days. If gasoline costs an average of $2.00 per gallon, approximately how much money should they budget for gasoline on this trip?

Which single piece of information is necessary to solve the problem above?

the number of times they will have to stop for gasoline

the number of miles the car travels per gallon of gasoline

the number of miles Wei-Jen will drive

the total distance of their trip

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Explanation:

Let’s break down the options:

- Option 1: The number of times they will have to stop for gasoline

This feels useful, but for budgeting the total cost, the count of stops isn’t the real driver. What matters more is *how much* gasoline you actually use.

- Option 2: The number of miles the car travels per gallon of gasoline

Here’s the thing: This is *exactly* what you need. If you know how far you can go on each gallon, you can figure out the total gallons you’ll burn for the trip. Multiply that by the cost per gallon, and you’ve solved the problem.

- Option 3: The number of miles Wei-Jen will drive

The *total* miles matter, but specifically how many miles “Wei-Jen” drives doesn’t. The problem wants the cost for the entire trip.

- Option 4: The total distance of their trip

This is almost enough, but only if you combine it with fuel efficiency (miles per gallon). On its own, knowing just the distance won’t get you dollars for gas.

So, Option 2 is your winner. It gives you the critical link—the car’s fuel efficiency—which turns miles into gallons, and gallons into money. That’s what you need to actually make the calculation.