This is a pretty counter-intuitive statement, I believe:
But some simple math shows it is true. If you drive 10,000 miles you would use: 667 gallons, 556 gallons, 200 gallons and 100 gallons. Amazing. I must admit, when I first read the quote I thought that it must be an wrong. But there is the math. You save 111 gallons improving from 15 mpg to 18 mpg and just 100 improving from 50 to 100 mpg. Other than those of you who automatically guess that whatever seems wrong must be the answer when you see a title like this I can’t believe anyone thinks 15 to 18 mpg is the change that has the bigger impact. It is great how a little understanding of math can help you see the errors in your initial beliefs. Via: 18 Is Enough.
It also illustrates that the way the data is presented makes a difference. You can also view 100 mpg as 1/100 gallon per mile, 2/100 gallons per mile, 5.6/100 gpm and 6.7 gpm. That way most everyone sees that the 6.7 to 5.6 gpm saves more fuel than 2 to 1 gpm does. Mathematics and scientific thinking are great - if you are willing to think you can learn to better understand the world we live in every day.
Related: Statistics Don’t Lie, But People Can be Fooled - Understanding Data - Seeing Patterns Where None Exists - Optical Illusions and Other Illusions - 1=2: A Proof
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December 25th, 2007 at 4:59 am
Nice site here!! The challenge question can be quite difficult! Some nice information and facts; I subscribed. (Yes, I’m an engineer!)
March 17th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
So what you are saying is if I drive a car that gets
15mpg I’ll have to pay for 667 gallons
18mpg I’ll have to pay for 556 gallons
50mpg I’ll have to pay for 200 gallons
100mpg I’ll only have to pay for 100 gallons
Wow, your right I’ll keep driving my 100mpg Plug-in Hybrid until I can get my hands on an all electric car.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:21 am
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