If it takes 5 cups of flour to make 4 batches of cookies

If it takes 5 cups of flour to make 4 batches of cookies, then how much flour is required to make 1 batch

The correct answer and explanation is:

Answer:
To make 1 batch of cookies, you need 1.25 cups of flour.

Explanation:

The problem states that 5 cups of flour are needed to make 4 batches of cookies. We want to find out how much flour is required to make just one batch.

This is a simple unit rate or ratio problem. When you know the total amount for several units, you can find the amount for one unit by dividing the total amount by the number of units.

Here’s the step-by-step method:

1. Identify the total flour and the total batches:
   • Total flour = 5 cups
   • Total batches = 4
2. Calculate the amount of flour per batch:
   Since 5 cups of flour make 4 batches, the flour needed for 1 batch is: 5 cups4 batches=1.25 cups per batch\frac{5 \text{ cups}}{4 \text{ batches}} = 1.25 \text{ cups per batch}
3. Interpret the result:
   So, 1.25 cups (which is the same as 1 and 1/4 cups) of flour is needed to make one batch of cookies.

Why is this important?

This type of calculation is essential in cooking and baking because recipes often need to be scaled up or down depending on how many servings or batches you want to make. Knowing how to find the amount of an ingredient per unit allows you to adjust the recipe accurately.

For example:

• If you want to make 2 batches, you multiply 1.25 cups by 2 to get 2.5 cups of flour.
• If you want to make half a batch, you multiply 1.25 cups by 0.5 to get 0.625 cups (or 5/8 cups) of flour.

Understanding the concept of ratios and unit rates ensures you maintain the correct proportions and the quality of your final product. This method can be applied not only to flour but to any ingredient in any recipe, making it a fundamental skill for both casual and professional cooks.