A recipe calls for 375 grams of butter. A package of butter weighs 0.5 kilograms. What fraction of a package of butter will one need to make the recipe?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
34\frac{3}{4} or three-quarters of a package of butter.
Explanation:
The recipe requires 375 grams of butter. The available package of butter weighs 0.5 kilograms. To compare the two amounts directly, both need to be in the same unit. Since the recipe amount is in grams, convert the package weight to grams as well.
1 kilogram equals 1000 grams.
So,
0.5 kilograms = 0.5 × 1000 = 500 grams
Now, determine the fraction of the package used by dividing the required amount by the total package weight: 375 grams500 grams=375500\frac{375\ \text{grams}}{500\ \text{grams}} = \frac{375}{500}
To simplify this fraction, divide both numerator and denominator by 125, their greatest common divisor: 375÷125500÷125=34\frac{375 ÷ 125}{500 ÷ 125} = \frac{3}{4}
This means the recipe requires three-quarters of the package.
Understanding fractions in practical terms helps in everyday activities such as cooking. When a recipe calls for a certain amount of an ingredient, and the ingredient is sold in standard sizes, it’s important to determine how much of the package to use. In this case, using 375 grams out of 500 grams means the cook will use 75 percent or three-fourths of the butter package.
This type of problem demonstrates how proportional reasoning and unit conversions are useful in real-life situations. Cooking often requires precise measurements, so knowing how to handle units and simplify ratios ensures accuracy in following a recipe.