Convert 2 liters to gallons Use the fact that 1 gal. ≈ 3.8 L a. 22 L ≈ 3.2 gal. b. 22 L ≈ 5.8 gal. c. 22 L ≈ 8.4 gal. d. 22 L ≈ 83.6 gal.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: c. 22 L ≈ 5.8 gal.
To convert liters to gallons, use the conversion factor:
1 gallon ≈ 3.8 liters
To find how many gallons are in 22 liters, divide 22 by 3.8:
22 ÷ 3.8 = 5.789… ≈ 5.8 gallons
So, 22 liters is approximately 5.8 gallons.
This is a unit conversion problem. It involves switching from one measurement system (metric) to another (imperial). The metric system uses liters for volume, while the imperial system commonly used in the United States uses gallons. Since 1 gallon is approximately 3.8 liters, this means that 1 liter is a smaller volume than 1 gallon. Therefore, to convert from liters to gallons, you divide by 3.8. If instead you were converting from gallons to liters, you would multiply by 3.8.
Understanding the math behind the conversion helps to prevent errors. For example, some might mistakenly multiply 22 liters by 3.8 instead of dividing. If that were done, the result would be 83.6, which is an incorrect and much larger number. That number is actually the number of liters in 22 gallons, not the number of gallons in 22 liters.
Estimating before solving can also help avoid mistakes. Since 3.8 is close to 4, you could estimate by doing 22 ÷ 4 = 5.5. The actual answer, 5.8, is close to that estimate, which confirms the choice is likely correct.
Therefore, the best estimate and correct conversion is:
22 liters ≈ 5.8 gallons, which matches option c.