(2) the gas #s are only telling you how much octane is in it (you would also see "(r + m)/2 method" next to it). the octane numbers, also called antiknock ratings, tell you how resistant the gas is to knocking.
(3) the gas # does not tell you the quality of the gas, nor has it a direct relationship with gas mileage
(4) what gas # to use should be based on what your engine was designed for.