20. One batch of a certain cake recipe requires 12 ounces of sugar. If sugar costs $0.80 per pound, what is the cost of the sugar required to make 4 batches of this recipe? (1 pound = 16 ounces)
Answer: D
The cost of the sugar required to make 4 batches of the cake recipe is $3.00.
To determine the cost of the sugar for 4 batches of the recipe, we first calculate the total amount of sugar needed, which is 48 ounces (12 ounces per batch multiplied by 4 batches). Since sugar costs $0.80 per pound and there are 16 ounces in a pound, the total cost for 48 ounces of sugar is $3.00.
A) $2.40
This option is incorrect because it suggests a lower cost than calculated. If 12 ounces of sugar cost $0.60 (12/16 of a pound times $0.80), then for 4 batches, the total cost would be $2.40, but that does not account for the full 48 ounces needed.
B) $2.60
This option is also incorrect as it does not reflect the proper conversion of ounces to pounds and the subsequent cost calculation. The cost of sugar for the total required amount of 48 ounces exceeds $2.60, demonstrating a miscalculation.
C) $2.80
This choice does not accurately represent the cost of the required sugar. The calculation for 48 ounces yields a total cost higher than $2.80, making this option incorrect.
D) $3.00
This is the correct answer. The calculation shows that 48 ounces of sugar translates to 3 pounds (48/16), which costs $3.00 ($0.80 per pound multiplied by 3 pounds).
E) $3.20
This option is incorrect since it suggests an inflated cost for the sugar needed. The accurate calculation for the total sugar required does not support this figure.
Conclusion
The correct answer of $3.00 accurately reflects the cost for the sugar required for 4 batches of the recipe after proper calculations. All other options fail because they either underestimate or miscalculate the total amount of sugar needed, leading to incorrect cost estimations.