Question

If you only have a 1/3 measuring cup and a recipe calls for 12 2/3 cups of flour, how many 1/3 cups would you need to use? 1/3 * t th cups

Answer 1

Answer: 38 cups

Step-by-step explanation:

We will divide 12 2/3 cups by our measurement, 1/3 cup, to find how many 1/3 cups will be needed.

(12 + 2/3) / (1/3) = 38 cups

Answer 2

Answer: 38

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Step-by-step explanation:

Imagine drawing a circle and splitting it into 3 equal slices. Repeat this process to get 12 identical such circles. We have 12*3 = 36 slices so far.

Then add a 13th circle that has 2 of the 3 slices shaded, to represent 2/3. So we add 2 extra slices to the 36 original to get 36+2 = 38 total slices.

Each slice represents 1/3 of a cup. So each full circle represents 1 full cup.

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Another approach:

Let's convert the mixed number 12 & 2/3 into an improper fraction

We use the formula

a & b/c = (a*c+b)/c

So,

12 & 2/3 = (12*3+2)/3 = (36+2)/3 = 38/3

Then rewrite the 38/3 as 38*(1/3) to show we have 38 copies of the 1/3 cup.