Question

Here are approximately 15 milliliters (mL) in 1 tablespoon (tbsp).

Which expression can be used to find the approximate number of milliliters in 3 tbsp?
1 tbsp x 15ml/3tbsp
1 tbsp x 3ml/15tbsp
3tbsp x 1 tbsp/15ml
3tbsp x 15ml/1tbsp

Answer 1

The correct option is 3tbsp x 15ml/1tbsp

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the question, 15 milliliters (mL) is equivalent to 1 tablespoon (tbsp), how many milliliters will be equivalent to 3 tablespoons. Let use "X" as the unknown number of milliliters.

If 15 milliliters ⇒ 1 tablespoon

X milliliters ⇒ 3 tablespoons

cross multiply

15 mL × 3 tbsp ⇒ 1 tbsp × X mL

X mL = 15 mL × 3 tbsp/1 tbsp

Answer 2

If there are 15 mL in 1 tablespoon, then 3 tablespoons should have triple the volume as originally stated.
Note in all of the four choices, the units simplify to mL because tbsp x ml/tbsp = mL (tbsp/tbsp = 1)
The second and third choice give ultimately the same, incorrect value. The fourth option gives an incorrect fraction - there are not 15 mL for every tablespoon. The correct answer is 1 tbsp x 15mL/3tbsp