Unraveling the Mystery of Rental Car Charges

When you're gearing up for the Border Patrol Exam, every bit of preparation counts, right? One crucial area to consider is basic math—specifically, how calculations work with everyday scenarios, like renting a car. Believe it or not, understanding how to break down costs can give you a leg up not just in the exam, but also in real-life situations. So, let’s break this down together, shall we?

Imagine this: An officer rents a car for six days at a total cost of $450. Sounds straightforward enough, but there's a little more to it when the rental company charges $35 per day plus $0.30 for every mile driven. So how do we figure out just how many miles this officer racked up?

First things first, let’s determine the total daily charges. The math is simple but crucial here. If the daily rental rate is $35 and the officer had the car for six days, we multiply those two figures:

• Daily charge = $35
• Number of days = 6
• Total daily charges = $35 * 6 = $210

Now, knowing the total amount paid ($450), we can subtract the daily charges to find out how much of the rental went towards mileage.

• Total amount paid = $450
• Total daily charges = $210
• Total charge for mileage = Total amount paid - Total daily charges = $450 - $210 = $240

Here’s where it gets interesting! The rental company also adds a fee for every mile driven at $0.30 per mile. To discover the total miles, we take the charge for mileage and divide it by the cost per mile:

• Cost per mile = $0.30
• Total charge for mileage = $240
• Miles driven = Total charge for mileage ÷ Cost per mile = $240 ÷ $0.30 = 800 miles

Just like that, we find out that our officer cruised a whopping 800 miles during the rental period! Confusing? Not at all! This type of problem is a fantastic way to practice the analytical skills necessary for the Border Patrol exam.

So, what can we take away from this? Understanding how to break down complex costs into simple calculations not only prepares you better for the exam but also equips you with valuable life skills! Next time you're renting a car or tackling a math question, remember this process. It’s all about clarity, breaking things down, and making them accessible—just like preparing for your Border Patrol journey.