Question

3. My recipe calls for 2/3 cups of white flour and 2-1/5 cups of whole wheat flour. How much flour do I need in total for my recipe?

Answer 1

To find the total amount of flour needed for your recipe, you need to add the amounts of white flour and whole wheat flour together.

You have:
- White flour: \( \frac{2}{3} \) cups
- Whole wheat flour: \( 2 \frac{1}{5} \) cups

First, let's convert \( 2 \frac{1}{5} \) to an improper fraction:

\[
2 \frac{1}{5} = 2 + \frac{1}{5} = \frac{10}{5} + \frac{1}{5} = \frac{11}{5}
\]

Now, we need to add \( \frac{2}{3} \) and \( \frac{11}{5} \). To do this, we need a common denominator. The least common multiple of 3 and 5 is 15.

Now, convert each fraction:
- For \( \frac{2}{3} \):
\[
\frac{2}{3} = \frac{2 \times 5}{3 \times 5} = \frac{10}{15}
\]

- For \( \frac{11}{5} \):
\[
\frac{11}{5} = \frac{11 \times 3}{5 \times 3} = \frac{33}{15}
\]

Now, add the two fractions:
\[
\frac{10}{15} + \frac{33}{15} = \frac{10 + 33}{15} = \frac{43}{15}
\]

Now, we can convert \( \frac{43}{15} \) back to a mixed number if necessary:
\[
43 \div 15 = 2 \quad \text{remainder } 13
\]
So, \( \frac{43}{15} = 2 \frac{13}{15} \).

Thus, the total amount of flour needed for your recipe is \( \frac{43}{15} \) cups, or 2 \( \frac{13}{15} \) cups if you'd like it in mixed number form.