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Culinary Arts

A guide on the basic fundamentals of culinary Arts

Culinary Math

Culinary Math involves the following Math Topics:

  • Computation — For both whole numbers and decimals, you need addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, converting units, and ratios
  • Fractions — Multiplying and dividing fractions; dividing wholes into fractions
  • Geometry — Area, volume, shapes
  • Temperature and Time — Telling time and adjusting temperature are important math skills that factor into the culinary arts

  • Measurements

Converting Units of measurement

Converting to Smaller Units

Multiply Pounds by 16 to get total ounces

  • Example: 2 Lb. X 16 oz. = 32 oz.

Multiply Quarts by 32 to get total fluid ounces

  • Example: 3 Qt. x 32 oz. = 96 oz.

Multiply Cups by 8 to get total fluid ounces in a cup

  • Example: 3 cups X 8 oz. = 24 fl. oz.

Multiply Cups by 16 to get total tablespoons dry weight

  • Example: 2 cups X 16 Tb. = 32 Tb.

Multiply Gallons by 4 quarts -

  • Example: 5 G X 4 Qt. = 20 Qt.

Converting to Larger Units

Divide ounces by 16 to get total pounds

  • Example: 56 oz./ 16 ounces = 3 Lb. 8 oz.

Divide fluid ounces by 32 to get fluid quarts

  • Example: 16 Qt./4 = 4 quarts

Divided dry tablespoons by 16 to get total cups

  • Example: 20 Tb./16 = 1 ¼ C

chart

Unit: Equals: Also equals:
1 teaspoon 1/3 tablespoon 1/6 fluid ounce
1 tablespoon    3 teaspoons 1/2 fluid ounce
1/8 cup 2 tablespoons 1 fluid ounce
1/4 cup 4 tablespoons 2 fluid ounces
1/3 cup                   1/4 cup plus 4 teaspoons                 2 3/4 fluid ounces     
1/2 cup 8 tablespoons 4 fluid ounces
1 cup 1/2 pint 8 fluid ounces
1 pint 2 cups 16 fluid ounces
1 quart 4 cups 32 fluid ounces
1 liter 1 quart plus 1/4 cup 4 1/4 cups
1 gallon 4 quarts 16 cups

Chart

Teaspoons       Tablespoons      Ounces     Cups    Pints    Quarts    Gallons     Milliliters     Liters
3 1 1/2 1/16 15 0.015
12 4 2 1/4 60

0.06

24 8 4 1/2 125 0.125
48 16 8 1 1/2 1/4 1/16 250 0.25
16 2 1 1/2 1/8 500 0.5
32 4 2 1 1/4 950 0.95
128 16 8 4 1 3800 3.8

 

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