Final answer:
To find out how much flour is needed for four servings, a proportional relationship is established and calculates 17 1/7 cups of flour are necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine how much flour is needed for four servings based on a recipe that calls for 4 2/7 cups of flour for six servings, we can set up a proportional relationship. Since the recipe's amount of flour is directly proportional to the number of servings, we can use the following process:
- Convert the mixed number 4 2/7 cups to an improper fraction. To do this, multiply the whole number by the denominator and add the numerator: (4 × 7) + 2 = 30, so 4 2/7 cups is the same as 30/7 cups.
- Set up a proportion to find the amount of flour for four servings: (30/7 cups)/(6 servings) = (x cups)/(4 servings).
- Cross-multiply and solve for x: 30 × 4 = 7 × x, which simplifies to 120 = 7x.
- Divide both sides by 7 to solve for x: x = 120/7, which simplifies to 17 1/7 cups.
Therefore, 17 1/7 cups of flour are needed for four servings.