How Well Can You Measure? - Free Printable

Let's solve this step-by-step.

We are given a standard set of measuring cups:
- 1 cup (1 c.)
- ½ cup (½ c.)
- ⅓ cup (⅓ c.)
- ¼ cup (¼ c.)

There is no ⅔ cup or ¾ cup, so we must combine these cups to measure the required amounts.

We need to determine which combination(s) of these measuring cups add up to each listed amount. Then, we place a check mark under the cup(s) used.

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Step 1: Understand what combinations we can make

Let’s look at possible combinations:

- 1 c. = 1 c.
- ½ c. = ½ c.
- ⅓ c. = ⅓ c.
- ¼ c. = ¼ c.

Now let’s find ways to make other amounts using only these four.

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Now go through each amount:

#### 1) 1 c.
- Use 1 c. cup directly.
✔ Check: 1 c.

| Amount | 1 c. | ½ c. | ⅓ c. | ¼ c. |
|--------|------|------|------|------|
| 1) 1 c. | ✔ | | | |

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#### 2) 3/4 c.
We don’t have a ¾ cup, but:
- ½ + ¼ = ¾
✔ Use ½ c. and ¼ c.

| Amount | 1 c. | ½ c. | ⅓ c. | ¼ c. |
|--------|------|------|------|------|
| 2) 3/4 c. | | ✔ | | ✔ |

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#### 3) ½ c.
Use the ½ c. cup directly.
✔ Check: ½ c.

| Amount | 1 c. | ½ c. | ⅓ c. | ¼ c. |
|--------|------|------|------|------|
| 3) ½ c. | | ✔ | | |

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#### 4) 2/3 c.
We don’t have ⅔ cup. Can we make it?

Try:
- ⅓ + ⅓ = ⅔ → But we only have one ⅓ cup.
So we cannot use two ⅓ cups unless we have two.

But we only have one ⅓ cup.

Wait — can we do something else?

Let’s try:
- ½ + ⅓ = 5/6 → too much
- ½ + ¼ = ¾ → too big
- ⅓ + ¼ = 7/12 → less than ½

No way to get exactly ⅔ with just one ⅓ cup?

Wait! Let's think differently.

Is there a way to subtract? No — we're measuring by filling cups, not pouring out.

So we can only add.

Can we use multiple uses of same cup? Probably not — we assume we have one of each.

So if we only have one ⅓ cup, we can't make ⅔ from two ⅓s.

But maybe another way?

Try:
- ½ + ⅓ = 5/6 ≈ 0.833
- ⅓ + ¼ = 7/12 ≈ 0.583
- ½ + ¼ = ¾ = 0.75
None equal ⅔ ≈ 0.666...

Wait: Is there a way to make ⅔ using these?

Actually, no, unless we use the 1 c. cup and pour out excess — but the problem says "putting the measuring cups together" — so likely only adding.

So perhaps we cannot measure ⅔ c. exactly with just 1, ½, ⅓, ¼?

But wait — let's reconsider.

Wait — maybe we can use combinations like:

What if we use:
- 1 c. minus ⅓ c. = ⅔ c.?
But that requires subtracting, which isn't allowed unless we have a way to remove.

But the problem says: “putting the measuring cups together” — meaning adding.

So unless we can use multiple ⅓ cups, we can’t make ⅔.

But we only have one ⅓ cup.

So cannot make ⅔ c. with only one ⅓ cup.

Wait — but maybe the idea is that you can use the ⅓ cup twice? The image shows one ⅓ cup, but in practice, you might have multiple.

But the diagram shows one of each, so likely only one of each.

So no way to make ⅔ c.?

But let’s check the next ones.

Wait — maybe I'm missing something.

Let me list all possible sums:

- 1 c. = 1
- ½ = 0.5
- ⅓ ≈ 0.333
- ¼ = 0.25

Possible combinations:

- ½ + ⅓ = 5/6 ≈ 0.833
- ½ + ¼ = 0.75
- ⅓ + ¼ = 7/12 ≈ 0.583
- 1 + ½ = 1.5
- 1 + ⅓ = 1.333
- 1 + ¼ = 1.25
- ½ + ⅓ + ¼ = 13/12 ≈ 1.083
- 1 + ½ + ⅓ = 11/6 ≈ 1.833
- etc.

Can we make ⅔ = 0.666...?

Try:
- ½ + ⅓ = 5/6 ≈ 0.833 → too big
- ½ + ¼ = 0.75 → too big
- ⅓ + ¼ = 7/12 ≈ 0.583 → too small
- ½ + ⅓ + ¼ = 13/12 > 1 → too big

No combination gives exactly ⅔.

But wait — what about using 1 c. and pouring out ⅓ c.? That would leave ⅔ c.

But the task says: “putting the measuring cups together” — so probably adding, not subtracting.

But in real cooking, you could do that.

However, since the problem says "put the measuring cups together", likely only addition.

So maybe ⅔ c. cannot be made?

But let's see what the intended solution is.

Wait — maybe we can use the 1 c. cup and then fill the ⅓ cup from it, leaving ⅔?

But again, that’s not adding cups together.

Alternatively, perhaps the problem allows using the same cup more than once?

For example, use the ⅓ cup twice?

That would give ⅔ c.

But we only have one ⅓ cup shown.

But in reality, you might have multiple.

But the image shows one of each.

Hmm.

But looking at the problem: “Here is a standard set of measuring cups.” Standard sets usually include:
- 1 c.
- ½ c.
- ⅓ c.
- ¼ c.

And often you have multiple of some, but here it shows one of each.

But for making ⅔ c., you’d need two ⅓ cups.

So unless you can use the ⅓ cup twice, you can’t.

But in practical terms, you can use the same cup twice.

So maybe the assumption is that you can use any cup multiple times.

Let’s assume that.

So for ⅔ c.: use ⅓ c. twice → ⅓ + ⅓ = ⅔

✔ So check under ⅓ c.

Similarly, for others.

So let’s proceed with that assumption: you can use any cup as many times as needed, even though only one is shown.

This makes sense for cooking.

So now:

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#### 4) 2/3 c.
- Use ⅓ c. twice: ⅓ + ⅓ = ⅔
✔ Check: ⅓ c.

| Amount | 1 c. | ½ c. | ⅓ c. | ¼ c. |
|--------|------|------|------|------|
| 4) 2/3 c. | | | ✔ | |

(You use the ⅓ cup twice — so check only the ⅓ column)

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#### 5) 1/3 c.
Use ⅓ c. directly.
✔ Check: ⅓ c.

| Amount | 1 c. | ½ c. | ⅓ c. | ¼ c. |
|--------|------|------|------|------|
| 5) 1/3 c. | | | ✔ | |

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#### 6) ¼ c.
Use ¼ c. directly.
✔ Check: ¼ c.

| Amount | 1 c. | ½ c. | ⅓ c. | ¼ c. |
|--------|------|------|------|------|
| 6) ¼ c. | | | | ✔ |

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#### 7) 1 1/3 c.
= 1 + ⅓

So use 1 c. and ⅓ c.
✔ Check: 1 c. and ⅓ c.

| Amount | 1 c. | ½ c. | ⅓ c. | ¼ c. |
|--------|------|------|------|------|
| 7) 1 1/3 c. | ✔ | | ✔ | |

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#### 8) 2 ¾ c.
= 2 + ¾

We don’t have ¾, but:
- ½ + ¼ = ¾

So: use 1 c. twice = 2 c.
Then ½ c. and ¼ c. = ¾

So total: 2 c. + ½ c. + ¼ c.

So check: 1 c., ½ c., ¼ c.

Note: 1 c. used twice → still check only once.

| Amount | 1 c. | ½ c. | ⅓ c. | ¼ c. |
|--------|------|------|------|------|
| 8) 2 ¾ c. | ✔ | ✔ | | ✔ |

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#### 9) 1 2/3 c.
= 1 + ⅔

We already know: ⅔ = ⅓ + ⅓

So: 1 c. + ⅓ c. + ⅓ c.

So check: 1 c. and ⅓ c.

| Amount | 1 c. | ½ c. | ⅓ c. | ¼ c. |
|--------|------|------|------|------|
| 9) 1 2/3 c. | ✔ | | ✔ | |

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#### 10) 2 ½ c.
= 2 + ½

Use 1 c. twice = 2 c., plus ½ c.

So check: 1 c. and ½ c.

| Amount | 1 c. | ½ c. | ⅓ c. | ¼ c. |
|--------|------|------|------|------|
| 10) 2 ½ c. | ✔ | ✔ | | |

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Final Table:

| Amount | 1 c. | ½ c. | ⅓ c. | ¼ c. |
|--------|------|------|------|------|
| 1) 1 c. | ✔ | | | |
| 2) 3/4 c. | | ✔ | | ✔ |
| 3) ½ c. | | ✔ | | |
| 4) 2/3 c. | | | ✔ | |
| 5) 1/3 c. | | | ✔ | |
| 6) ¼ c. | | | | ✔ |
| 7) 1 1/3 c. | ✔ | | ✔ | |
| 8) 2 ¾ c. | ✔ | ✔ | | ✔ |
| 9) 1 2/3 c. | ✔ | | ✔ | |
| 10) 2 ½ c. | ✔ | ✔ | | |

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Explanation Summary:

- We use basic addition of fractions.
- We assume we can use each measuring cup multiple times (e.g., use ⅓ cup twice).
- For ⅔ c., we use two ⅓ cups.
- For ¾ c., we use ½ + ¼.
- For larger amounts, we combine 1 c. multiple times with smaller cups.

This teaches how to combine standard measuring cups to get desired amounts when exact cups aren't available.

✔ All amounts can be measured using only 1 c., ½ c., ⅓ c., and ¼ c. cups.