Which of the following numbers could be used to specify how many cups of flour should be used in a bread recipe?

A.4/7
B.2 3/4
C.-3
D.square root of 3

3 answers

In a bread recipe, the number of cups of flour should be a non-negative rational number. Let's evaluate the options:

A. 4/7 - This is a positive rational number and could specify a quantity of flour.

B. 2 3/4 - This is a positive mixed number and could specify a quantity of flour (equivalent to 2.75 cups).

C. -3 - This is a negative number and cannot specify a quantity of flour, as you can't use a negative amount.

D. square root of 3 - This is an irrational number (approximately 1.732) and wouldn't be a typical measurement for cups of flour in a recipe, which are usually specified in rational numbers.

Based on this analysis, the valid choices for specifying how many cups of flour should be used are A (4/7) and B (2 3/4).

which one would work better?

In a bread recipe, the measurement B. 2 3/4 (which is equivalent to 2.75 cups) would generally work better than A. 4/7 (which is approximately 0.57 cups) for the following reasons:

  1. Common Measurements: Bread recipes often use larger quantities of flour, and 2 3/4 cups is a more common measurement for recipes that yield a decent amount of bread, whereas 4/7 cup is quite small and may not be practical for typical bread-making.

  2. Ease of Use: While both measurements are valid, most home bakers are more accustomed to using larger, whole number measurements or simple fractions (like 2 3/4) rather than fractions that yield smaller quantities.

  3. Consistency: Using 2 3/4 cups allows for a consistent texture and hydration level in bread dough, which usually requires a more standard and larger amount of flour.

Therefore, B. 2 3/4 cups would be the better choice for a typical bread recipe.