Final answer:
To determine how much flour is needed for 32 croissants, when 3 cups are needed for 12 croissants, we set up a proportion and solve for the unknown quantity. The calculation shows that 8 cups of flour are needed for 32 croissants.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks how much flour is needed for 32 croissants if 3 cups of flour are needed for 12 croissants. This is a direct proportion problem where the amount of flour needed is proportional to the number of croissants made. To find the answer, we set up a proportion. Since 3 cups of flour make 12 croissants, we can write the proportion as:
3 cups / 12 croissants = x cups / 32 croissants
Now we solve for 'x', the unknown amount of flour needed:
3/12 = x/32
Cross multiply to get:
3 * 32 = 12 * x
96 = 12x
Divide both sides by 12 to isolate 'x':
x = 96 / 12
x = 8 cups
Therefore, 8 cups of flour are needed for 32 croissants, meaning the answer is (a) 8 cups.