Math in Cooking

Did you know you use math every time you cook? You measure cups of flour, count eggs, and set timers. Math helps you follow recipes and make yummy food.

Measuring Ingredients

Recipes tell you how much of each ingredient to use. You might need 2 cups of flour or half a teaspoon of salt. Measuring spoons and cups have numbers on them.

If you want to make a double batch, you multiply every amount by 2. If you want half a recipe, you divide by 2. Fractions are very important in the kitchen.

Time and Temperature

Baking needs the right temperature and the right time. You might bake cookies at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. If you take them out too early, they will be gooey. Too late and they burn.

Timers help you keep track. You can also use math to figure out when food will be done. If you put something in the oven at 4:15 and it cooks for 30 minutes, it will be done at 4:45.

Fun Facts

• A tablespoon is exactly 3 teaspoons.
• Doubling a recipe is a great way to practice multiplying fractions.
• Professional bakers weigh their ingredients with scales for more accuracy.

Did You Know?

A cup of feathers and a cup of rocks are the same volume, but very different weights! Cooking teaches you the difference.