3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup
According to the information above, how many teaspoons are equal to 3/8 cup?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 9
D. 12
E. 18
Please explain....
I got this question correct by making an educated guess but need a little light on this problem..
Thanks.
GMAT PREP ? (TableSpoons)
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- AleksandrM
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Or you can you use algebra.
First step is to multiply 3 by 4 to get 12 tea spoons per 1/4 cup.
Then just set up an equation:
12/( 1/4 ) = x/( 3/8 ) [if there are 12 tea spoons in one-fourth of a cup, then how many tea spoons will there be in three-eigths of a cup]
First solve each side of the equal sign 12 * 4 = 48 and 8/3 * x = 8x/3
48 = 8x/3 [multiply both sides by 3]
144 = 8x [solve for x]
x = 18 I believe that this is quicker and is more intuitive than backsolving. Backsolving, however, is still a good way to go with some other problems when it is quicker than algebra.
First step is to multiply 3 by 4 to get 12 tea spoons per 1/4 cup.
Then just set up an equation:
12/( 1/4 ) = x/( 3/8 ) [if there are 12 tea spoons in one-fourth of a cup, then how many tea spoons will there be in three-eigths of a cup]
First solve each side of the equal sign 12 * 4 = 48 and 8/3 * x = 8x/3
48 = 8x/3 [multiply both sides by 3]
144 = 8x [solve for x]
x = 18 I believe that this is quicker and is more intuitive than backsolving. Backsolving, however, is still a good way to go with some other problems when it is quicker than algebra.
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- Jeff@TargetTestPrep
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We are given the following:dferm wrote:3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup
According to the information above, how many teaspoons are equal to 3/8 cup?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 9
D. 12
E. 18
3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup
We need to determine how many teaspoons are equal to 3/8 cup. Let's first convert 3/8 cup to tablespoons:
3/8 cups x 4 tablespoons/(1/4) cup
3/8 x 16 = 6 tablespoons
Next we can convert 6 tablespoons to teaspoons:
6 tablespoons x 3 teaspoons/1 tablespoon = 18 teaspoons
Alternate Solution:
We see that 4 tablespoons = 12 teaspoons = 1/4 cup. To determine the number of teaspoons equal to 3/8 cup, we can set up a proportion:
12 / (1/4) = x / (3/8)
36 / 8 = x / 4
36 = 2x
x = 18 teaspoons
Answer: E
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Hi All,
We're told that 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon and 4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup. We're asked for the number of teaspoons that are equal to 3/8 cup. This question is a big 'unit conversion' question and includes a big 'design shortcut' that you can use to avoid most of the math.
To start, since 1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons and 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons, we know that 1/4 = (4)(3) = 12 teaspoons. Since 3/8 is greater than 1/4, we know that 3/8 of a cup is equal to MORE than 12 teaspoons. There's only one answer that matches...
Final Answer: E
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
We're told that 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon and 4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup. We're asked for the number of teaspoons that are equal to 3/8 cup. This question is a big 'unit conversion' question and includes a big 'design shortcut' that you can use to avoid most of the math.
To start, since 1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons and 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons, we know that 1/4 = (4)(3) = 12 teaspoons. Since 3/8 is greater than 1/4, we know that 3/8 of a cup is equal to MORE than 12 teaspoons. There's only one answer that matches...
Final Answer: E
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
- fskilnik@GMATH
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\[3\,\,{\text{teaspoons}}\,\,\,\, \leftrightarrow \,\,\,\,1\,\,\,{\text{tablespoon}}\]dferm wrote:3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup
According to the information above, how many teaspoons are equal to 3/8 cup?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 9
D. 12
E. 18
Please explain....
\[4\,\,{\text{tablespoons}}\,\,\,\, \leftrightarrow \,\,\,\,\frac{1}{4}\,\,\,{\text{cup}}\,\,\,\,\,\]
\[\frac{3}{8}cup\,\,\, = \,\,\,\,?\,\,\,{\text{teaspoons}}\]
\[\frac{3}{8}cup\,\,\,\left( {\frac{{4\,\,{\text{tablespoons}}}}{{\frac{1}{4}\,\,\,{\text{cup}}}}\,\,\begin{array}{*{20}{c}}
\nearrow \\
\nearrow
\end{array}} \right)\,\,\,\,\left( {\frac{{3\,\,{\text{teaspoons}}}}{{1\,\,\,{\text{tablespoon}}}}\,\,\begin{array}{*{20}{c}}
\nearrow \\
\nearrow
\end{array}} \right)\,\,\,\, = \,\,\,\frac{{3 \cdot 4 \cdot 4 \cdot 3}}{{8 \cdot 1}} = 18\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\left[ {{\text{teaspoons}}} \right]\]
This is a nice example of UNITS CONTROL technique, one of our most powerful tools!
(Arrows indicate licit converters.)
The above follows the notations and rationale taught in the GMATH method.
Fabio Skilnik :: GMATH method creator ( Math for the GMAT)
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