Question

Hayley is making trail mix using the ingredients listed below.
1
2½ cups cereal
3
4 cup nuts
1
cup coconut
4
1 1½ cups chocolate chips


What is the total amount of all four ingredients?

Answer 1

To find the total amount of all four ingredients in Hayley's trail mix, we will add the amounts together.

Here are the amounts given for each ingredient:

1. Cereal: 2½ cups
2. Nuts: ¾ cup
3. Coconut: 1 cup
4. Chocolate chips: 1½ cups

Now we will convert all quantities to improper fractions or equivalent fractions to make the addition easier:

- Cereal: \(2 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{5}{2} \)
- Nuts: \( \frac{3}{4} \)
- Coconut: \(1 = \frac{4}{4} \)
- Chocolate chips: \(1 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{2} \)

Now we can add them together:

\[
\frac{5}{2} + \frac{3}{4} + \frac{4}{4} + \frac{3}{2}
\]

First, we need a common denominator for \( \frac{5}{2} \), \( \frac{3}{4} \), \( \frac{4}{4} \), and \( \frac{3}{2} \). The least common denominator (LCD) is 4:

Convert each fraction:

- \( \frac{5}{2} = \frac{10}{4} \)
- \( \frac{3}{4} = \frac{3}{4} \)
- \( \frac{4}{4} = \frac{4}{4} \)
- \( \frac{3}{2} = \frac{6}{4} \)

Now add them together:

\[
\frac{10}{4} + \frac{3}{4} + \frac{4}{4} + \frac{6}{4} = \frac{10 + 3 + 4 + 6}{4} = \frac{23}{4}
\]

Now convert \( \frac{23}{4} \) back to a mixed number:

\[
23 \div 4 = 5 \text{ R } 3
\]

Thus,

\[
\frac{23}{4} = 5 \frac{3}{4}
\]

So, the total amount of all four ingredients combined is:

\(\boxed{5 \frac{3}{4}} \) cups.