The automaker of your new car recommends an oil change following the first 5,000 miles and then every 3,000 miles thereafter. If you plan to drive the car 250 miles a week, how many oil changes will you need the first year?

To determine how many oil changes you will need the first year, you can calculate the number of miles driven the first year and then use that to determine how many groups of 3000 miles you will drive after the first 5000 miles.

1. 52 x 250 = 13000 miles

2. 13000 miles - 5000 miles (1 oil change) = 8000 miles

3. 8000 miles - 3000 miles (1 oil change) - 3000 miles (1 oil change) = 2000 miles

The first year, you will need 3 oil changes.