Which proportion could you use to convert 3.5 cups to fluid ounces?
A. 4 fluid ounces/1 cup
B. ? fluid ounces/3.5 cups
C. 8 fluid ounces/1 cup
Convert: 3.5 cups = ? fluid ounces
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To convert cups to fluid ounces, it’s essential to understand the relationship between these two units of measurement. The standard conversion is that 1 cup is equal to 8 fluid ounces. Therefore, the correct proportion to use in this case is:
C. 8 fluid ounces/1 cup
Conversion Explanation
To perform the conversion from cups to fluid ounces, we can use the conversion factor derived from the known relationship between these two units. Here’s how you can set it up:
- Identify the Conversion Factor: We know that 1 cup equals 8 fluid ounces. This is the conversion factor we will use.
- Set Up the Proportion: We can set up the conversion using the factor:
[
\text{Fluid Ounces} = \text{Cups} \times \frac{8 \text{ fluid ounces}}{1 \text{ cup}}
] - Plug in the Value: We want to convert 3.5 cups into fluid ounces:
[
\text{Fluid Ounces} = 3.5 \text{ cups} \times \frac{8 \text{ fluid ounces}}{1 \text{ cup}}
] - Calculate: Now, multiply:
[
\text{Fluid Ounces} = 3.5 \times 8 = 28 \text{ fluid ounces}
]
Thus, 3.5 cups is equal to 28 fluid ounces.
Why Other Options are Not Correct
A. 4 fluid ounces/1 cup is incorrect because it misrepresents the conversion. In fact, there are 8 fluid ounces in a cup, not 4.
B. ? fluid ounces/3.5 cups is also incorrect because it does not provide a complete proportion to perform the conversion. This option lacks a defined quantity of fluid ounces, making it impossible to perform the calculation accurately.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the conversion from cups to fluid ounces is straightforward when the correct conversion factor is applied. For converting 3.5 cups, using the ratio of 8 fluid ounces per cup allows us to arrive at the accurate total of 28 fluid ounces. This kind of measurement is important in cooking, baking, and various fields requiring precise liquid measurements.