You have steamed 162 miles and consumed 14.0 tons of fuel. If you maintain the same speed, how many tons of fuel will you consume while steaming 285 miles?

Correct Answer: Option D — 24.6 tons

Fuel consumption varies directly with distance at a constant speed, following standard Bowditch navigational principles. Setting up the direct proportion: (14.0 / 162) = (x / 285). Solving for x yields 24.6 tons required to steam the remaining distance.