Question

Which of the following numbers could be used to specify how many cups of flour should be used in a bread recipe?
A. square root of 3
B. 2 3/4
C. 4/7
D. -3

Answer 1

In a bread recipe, the amount of flour should be a non-negative rational number that can be easily measured. Let's evaluate the options provided:

A. **Square root of 3** - This is an irrational number (approximately 1.732) and not commonly used in measuring ingredients. It could theoretically specify an amount but is not practical for a recipe.

B. **2 3/4** - This is a mixed number that represents 2.75, which is a positive and practical measurement for cups of flour. This is a suitable option.

C. **4/7** - This is a rational number (approximately 0.571) and is positive, making it a feasible amount of flour for a recipe, although less common.

D. **-3** - This is a negative number and cannot be used to represent a quantity of flour in a recipe, as you cannot use a negative amount of an ingredient.

Based on this evaluation, the numbers that could specify how many cups of flour should be used in a bread recipe are:

- **B. 2 3/4**
- **C. 4/7**

So, the best answer that directly addresses an amount used in cooking would be **B. 2 3/4**.