To convert cubic yards to gallons, what operation should be performed?

To convert cubic yards to gallons, the correct operation involves multiplying the number of cubic yards by 202. This is based on the fact that one cubic yard is equivalent to 202 gallons. When you're performing the conversion, this multiplication enables you to accurately transform the volume measurement from cubic yards, which is typically used for larger quantities of materials, into gallons, a unit more commonly used for liquids.

In the context of the other options, multiply by 200 would yield a figure that is slightly less accurate since it does not reflect the precise conversion factor. Dividing by 202 would provide an incorrect result because you would be decreasing the number of gallons rather than converting it. Similarly, subtracting 202 does not relate to the conversion process and would not yield a meaningful volume measurement for this context. Thus, multiplying by 202 is the proper approach to convert cubic yards to gallons.