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Estimate the amount of gasoline consumed in 24 hours a day.

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Step-by-Step Guesstimate
The amount of gasoline consumed in 24 hours in Bangalore
1. Estimate Total Number of Vehicles in Bangalore

  • Total population ≈ 13 million

  • Assume motorization rate (vehicles per 1,000 people) ≈ 600

    • ⇒ 13 million × 600 / 1,000 = 7.8 million vehicles

Assume distribution:

  • 2-wheelers (70%) ⇒ 5.46 million

  • Cars (20%) ⇒ 1.56 million

  • Commercial vehicles/taxis (10%) ⇒ 0.78 million

2. Estimate Average Daily Travel Distance

  • 2-wheelers: ~25 km/day

  • Cars: ~35 km/day

  • Commercial vehicles: ~50 km/day

3. Estimate Mileage (Fuel Efficiency)

  • 2-wheelers: 40 km/l

  • Cars: 15 km/l

  • Commercial vehicles: 8 km/l

4. Calculate Daily Fuel Consumption2-Wheelers:

  • Total km = 5.46M × 25 = 136.5 million km

  • Fuel = 136.5M ÷ 40 = ~3.41 million liters/day

Cars:

  • Total km = 1.56M × 35 = 54.6 million km

  • Fuel = 54.6M ÷ 15 = ~3.64 million liters/day

Commercial Vehicles:

  • Total km = 0.78M × 50 = 39 million km

  • Fuel = 39M ÷ 8 = ~4.88 million liters/day

✅ Total Estimated Daily Gasoline Consumption

 

  • 3.41M (2W) + 3.64M (cars) + 4.88M (CVs) = ~11.93 million liters/day

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@Archit Gupta 9 

Through estimation questions, an interviewer normally wants to assess structured thought processes, problem-solving abilities, and data-crunching skills. The answer (numerical output) need not be exact.

  • Always ask clarifying questions for better clarity on the problem statement.
  • Here, the problem statement looks vague, as there is no mention of any specific geography. I would have asked if this problem statement is specific to a country or a city.
  • Based on the data points I know/have, I would have taken a country or city based on my knowledge/comfort.
  • Always define what you understand by the problem statement. It makes sense to come up with your own 1-2 liners based on your understanding. It is always useful to ensure that the interviewer and you are on the same page before you start your solution.
  • I liked the way you bifurcated the problem into different categories. This really shows your structured thinking toward problem-solving.
  • At last, always conclude your answer with a summary. 
Best of luck with your preparations.
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CQ:

  1. Is it location specific - consider urban India

  2. Use case for driving car or others as well like aeroplanes/jets/industrial use etc. - consider whatever being burnt on road by on-road vehicles

 

Assumption of total population: 140cr

Approach:

  1. Urban -> 30% -> 50cr

    1. No of families: 12.5cr (50/4) 

    2. Working population: 70% avg employment rate; also assume 1.5 people/family are working in an urban family: 12.6cr individuals

    3. % population which travels for work: assume 30% work from home/local shops -> 8.5cr

    4. Avg length travelled/day  -> 2*4kms -> 8km

      1. Total distance travelled: 68cr km

      2. 90% is unique assuming rest is combined travel: 61cr km

      3. Gasoline burnt:

        1. 30% travel by car with avg mileage: 10km -> 1.8 cr litres

        2. 70% travel by 2 wheelers with avg mileage: 50km -> 0.8cr litres

 

If then I have to calculate for overall India, I can do so with for non-urban India as well

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