Hayley is making trail mix using the ingredients listed below.

2 1/2 cups cereal
3/4 cup nuts
1/4 cup coconut
1 1/4 cups chocolate chips

What is the total amount of all four ingredients

2 1/4 cups

2 3/4 cups

3 1/2 cups
4 3/4 cups

1 answer

To find the total amount of all four ingredients, we need to add them together.

  1. Cereal: 2 1/2 cups
  2. Nuts: 3/4 cup
  3. Coconut: 1/4 cup
  4. Chocolate chips: 1 1/4 cups

Let's convert all measurements to improper fractions for easier addition:

  • Cereal: 2 1/2 = 5/2
  • Nuts: 3/4 = 3/4
  • Coconut: 1/4 = 1/4
  • Chocolate chips: 1 1/4 = 5/4

Now we'll add these fractions together:

\[ \text{Total} = \frac{5}{2} + \frac{3}{4} + \frac{1}{4} + \frac{5}{4} \]

First, we need a common denominator. The least common multiple of 2 and 4 is 4. We'll convert \(\frac{5}{2}\) to have a denominator of 4:

\[ \frac{5}{2} = \frac{5 \cdot 2}{2 \cdot 2} = \frac{10}{4} \]

Now, we can rewrite the total:

\[ \text{Total} = \frac{10}{4} + \frac{3}{4} + \frac{1}{4} + \frac{5}{4} \]

Now we can add them together:

\[ \text{Total} = \frac{10 + 3 + 1 + 5}{4} = \frac{19}{4} \]

Next, we convert \(\frac{19}{4}\) to a mixed number:

\[ \frac{19}{4} = 4 \text{ R } 3 \quad \text{which is } 4 \frac{3}{4} \]

Thus, the total amount of all four ingredients is 4 3/4 cups.