How do you calculate total fuel on hand across multiple tanks?

How do you calculate total fuel on hand across multiple tanks?

• A. Add the capacities of all tanks.
• B. Sum the product of each tank’s capacity and fill percentage (or reading) and convert units if needed.
• C. Multiply the number of tanks by the average tank size.
• D. Use only the largest tank's reading.

Answer: (B)

To calculate total fuel on hand across multiple tanks, you must sum the actual fuel in each tank. For each tank, multiply its capacity by how full it is (use a decimal, for example 60% becomes 0.60), and convert units if needed so everything is in the same measurement. Then add those amounts together. For example, a 1,000-gallon tank at 60% and an 800-gallon tank at 45% contain 600 and 360 gallons, totaling 960 gallons. This method accounts for partially filled tanks and different sizes. Adding capacities would assume tanks are full, and using only the largest tank or averaging would not reflect the true distribution of fuel.

To calculate total fuel on hand across multiple tanks, you must sum the actual fuel in each tank. For each tank, multiply its capacity by how full it is (use a decimal, for example 60% becomes 0.60), and convert units if needed so everything is in the same measurement. Then add those amounts together. For example, a 1,000-gallon tank at 60% and an 800-gallon tank at 45% contain 600 and 360 gallons, totaling 960 gallons. This method accounts for partially filled tanks and different sizes. Adding capacities would assume tanks are full, and using only the largest tank or averaging would not reflect the true distribution of fuel.