Question

A dump truck can hold 2 1/4 tons of gravel. The pay loader loading the truck puts 750 pounds of gravel in the truck at one time.

How many loads does the pay loader need to dump in the truck before it is full?

5 loads
4 3/4 loads
5 1/2 loads
6 loads

Answer 1

First, let's convert the capacity of the dump truck from tons to pounds so we can work with consistent units.

Since 1 ton equals 2000 pounds, we can convert 2 1/4 tons as follows:

\[
2 \frac{1}{4} \text{ tons} = 2.25 \text{ tons} = 2.25 \times 2000 \text{ pounds} = 4500 \text{ pounds}
\]

Next, we know that the pay loader puts 750 pounds of gravel into the truck at one time.

To find the number of loads needed to fill the truck, we can divide the truck's total capacity (in pounds) by the amount of gravel dumped each time (also in pounds):

\[
\frac{4500 \text{ pounds}}{750 \text{ pounds/load}} = 6 \text{ loads}
\]

Thus, the pay loader needs to dump **6 loads** of gravel into the truck before it is full.

The correct answer is **6 loads**.