Hugh uses 13 grams of coffee powder to each liter of water he has a cup that holds 0.3 of water how much coffee powder should he use to make one cup

Question

Hugh uses 13 grams of coffee powder to each liter o water he has a cup that holds 0.3 liters of water how much coffee powder should he use to make one cup

Answer 1

Carolina, this isn't as bad as it seems, I promise!

 

We are actually going to multiply to find our answer. 

 

13 x 0.3 = 3.9

 

0.3 is also 3/10, so we can multiply 13 x 3/10 = 39/10 = 3 9/10 = 3.9

 

It may not make sense to multiply since we are dividing the coffee powder into smaller portions, but the word "of" always means to multiply.  We would say 0.3 liters of water as "3/10 of a liter."

 

If I ask for 1/3 of 24, then 24 x 1/3 = 24/3 = 8.  If I divide 24 ÷ 1/3 = 24 x 3/1 = 72.  The first question asks what 1/3 of 24 is. The second asks how many 1/3s make 24.  They are different!

 

Hope this helps!