A rocket test model burns fuel at a constant rate. It uses 225 gallons of fuel every 310 of a minute. How many gallons of fuel will it burn in 112 ?

Answer: Under the fractional interpretation (310 min\frac{3}{10}\text{ min} and 112 min1\frac{1}{2}\text{ min}), the fuel burned is 1125 gallons1125\text{ gallons}. Under the literal integer interpretation (310 min310\text{ min} and 112 min112\text{ min}), the fuel burned is 252031 gallons≈81.29 gallons\frac{2520}{31}\text{ gallons} \approx 81.29\text{ gallons}.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Analyze the given rate problem and identify potential interpretations

The problem presents numbers with possible typographical variations common in scanned fraction texts (where 310\frac{3}{10} might be printed as 310310, and 1121\frac{1}{2} or 112112 could represent the target time). We examine both standard interpretations: the fractional rate interpretation where fuel is burned at 225 gallons225\text{ gallons} per 310 minute\frac{3}{10}\text{ minute} over 112 minutes1\frac{1}{2}\text{ minutes}, and the literal integer reading of 225 gallons225\text{ gallons} every 310 minutes310\text{ minutes} over 112 minutes112\text{ minutes}.

Step 2: Calculate burn rate and total fuel for the standard fraction interpretation

Interpreting '310 of a minute' as 310 minute\frac{3}{10}\text{ minute} and '112' as 112=32 minutes1\frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{2}\text{ minutes}, the burning rate is 750 gallons per minute750\text{ gallons per minute}. Multiplying this constant rate by 1.5 minutes1.5\text{ minutes} gives 1125 gallons1125\text{ gallons}.

Step 3: Calculate burn rate and total fuel for the literal integer interpretation

If the numbers are taken literally as 225 gallons225\text{ gallons} every 310 minutes310\text{ minutes} over a duration of 112 minutes112\text{ minutes}, the constant rate is 4562 gallons per minute\frac{45}{62}\text{ gallons per minute}. Multiplying by 112 minutes112\text{ minutes} yields 252031 gallons\frac{2520}{31}\text{ gallons}, which is approximately 81.29 gallons81.29\text{ gallons}.

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