A recipe for lemonade calls for 2 1/2 quarts of water. How many cups of water should you use for the recipe?
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
To convert quarts to cups, it is essential to know the conversion factor between these two units of measurement. There are 4 cups in 1 quart.
Given the recipe calls for 2 1/2 quarts of water, we can break this down into the following steps:
- Convert 2 1/2 quarts to an improper fraction:
- The mixed number 2 1/2 can be converted to an improper fraction.
- Multiply the whole number (2) by the denominator (2) and add the numerator (1):
[
2 \times 2 + 1 = 4 + 1 = 5
] - Therefore, (2 \frac{1}{2}) quarts is equal to (\frac{5}{2}) quarts.
- Convert quarts to cups:
- Now, to convert quarts to cups, we multiply the number of quarts by the conversion factor of 4 cups per quart:
[
\frac{5}{2} \text{ quarts} \times 4 \text{ cups/quart} = \frac{5 \times 4}{2} = \frac{20}{2} = 10 \text{ cups}
]
So, the recipe calls for 10 cups of water.
Explanation of Units and Conversions
When working with recipes, understanding unit conversions is crucial for accuracy. In cooking, precise measurements ensure that the ingredients are balanced, which is especially important in recipes like lemonade where the ratio of water to lemon juice affects the overall flavor. The basic principle of conversion relies on knowing the relationship between different units—here, between quarts and cups.
This method of conversion can be applied to various scenarios beyond cooking, such as in science or engineering, where precise measurements are also vital. By mastering the conversion of units, one can easily adapt recipes to different serving sizes or use available measuring tools. For instance, if one only has a cup measure available, knowing how to convert quarts to cups allows for greater flexibility in preparing meals without the need for specialized equipment. Understanding these conversions can also help in meal planning and nutritional calculations, making it an essential skill in both everyday cooking and professional culinary settings.