An orange has about 1/4 cup of juice. How many oranges are needed to make 2 1/2 cups of juice?
An orange has about 1/4 cup of juice. How many oranges are needed to make 2 1/2 cups of juice?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To make 2 1/2 cups of juice, you would need 10 oranges.
Explanation
Understanding how many oranges are needed to make a specific amount of juice involves a simple division calculation. We’re told that one orange yields about 1/4 cup of juice, and we want to know how many such oranges are required to produce 2 1/2 cups.
First, let’s convert the mixed number into an improper fraction for easier calculations: 212=522 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{5}{2}
Now, if each orange gives 1/4 cup of juice, then to find how many oranges are needed to make 5/2 cups, we divide: 52÷14\frac{5}{2} \div \frac{1}{4}
To divide by a fraction, we multiply by its reciprocal: 52×41=202=10\frac{5}{2} \times \frac{4}{1} = \frac{20}{2} = 10
So, 10 oranges are needed to make 2 1/2 cups of juice.
Why This Works:
This is a practical application of fractions and proportions. When dealing with recipes, nutritional information, or everyday cooking, it’s important to understand how parts relate to wholes. In this example, the key idea is that if a whole orange contributes a fractional amount (1/4 cup) to the total desired quantity (2 1/2 cups), we can determine the number of oranges needed by dividing the total juice required by the juice per orange.
The calculation also shows the usefulness of converting mixed numbers to improper fractions, especially when performing division or multiplication with other fractions.
This kind of estimation is common in kitchens, food services, or even when planning grocery shopping for recipes. So, the answer is clear:
✅ 10 oranges are needed to make 2 1/2 cups of juice.
