Multiplying Fractions: 1 2/3 Cups x 4
This article explores how to multiply a mixed number, 1 2/3 cups, by a whole number, 4.
Understanding the Problem
We want to find out how many cups are in four times the quantity of 1 2/3 cups. To do this, we need to perform multiplication with fractions.
Converting to Improper Fractions
The first step is to convert the mixed number 1 2/3 into an improper fraction.
- Multiply the denominator by the whole number: 3 x 1 = 3
- Add the numerator: 3 + 2 = 5
- Keep the same denominator: 5/3
Now, our problem becomes: (5/3) x 4
Performing the Multiplication
To multiply a fraction by a whole number, we simply multiply the numerator by the whole number.
- (5/3) x 4 = (5 x 4) / 3
- = 20/3
Converting Back to a Mixed Number
The final step is to convert the improper fraction back into a mixed number.
- Divide the numerator by the denominator: 20 ÷ 3 = 6 with a remainder of 2
- The quotient becomes the whole number: 6
- The remainder becomes the numerator: 2
- Keep the same denominator: 3
Therefore, 1 2/3 cups x 4 = 6 2/3 cups.
Practical Application
This calculation is useful in various scenarios involving recipes, measuring ingredients, or even understanding quantities in other contexts. For example, if a recipe requires 1 2/3 cups of flour and you want to make four times the recipe, you would need 6 2/3 cups of flour.