Question

A baker needs a total of 13 and one-third cups of flour to make four batches of cookies. How much flour, in cups, does she need for each batch of cookies? Write and solve an equation to find the answer.
StartFraction 5 Over 6 EndFraction
3 and one-third
9 and one-third
12

Answer 1

To find out how much flour the baker needs for each batch of cookies, we can set up an equation.

Let \( x \) be the amount of flour needed for each batch of cookies. Since there are 4 batches, the equation will be:

\[
4x = 13 \frac{1}{3}
\]

Now, we need to convert \( 13 \frac{1}{3} \) into an improper fraction.

First, convert \( 13 \) into thirds:
\[
13 = \frac{39}{3}
\]
Adding \( \frac{1}{3} \):
\[
13 \frac{1}{3} = \frac{39}{3} + \frac{1}{3} = \frac{40}{3}
\]

Now our equation is:
\[
4x = \frac{40}{3}
\]

To solve for \( x \), divide both sides by 4:
\[
x = \frac{40}{3} \div 4
\]

Dividing by 4 is the same as multiplying by \( \frac{1}{4} \):
\[
x = \frac{40}{3} \times \frac{1}{4} = \frac{40 \times 1}{3 \times 4} = \frac{40}{12}
\]

We can simplify \( \frac{40}{12} \):
\[
\frac{40}{12} = \frac{10}{3}
\]

Next, we can convert \( \frac{10}{3} \) back into a mixed number:
\[
\frac{10}{3} = 3 \frac{1}{3}
\]

Therefore, the amount of flour needed for each batch of cookies is:

\[
3 \frac{1}{3} \text{ cups}
\]

Thus, the answer is:

**3 and one-third** cups of flour for each batch of cookies.