Measurements

Question

Hello,Which of these responses is correct?1. 3 1/2 (3) (4) cups bread flour ( three and a half)  or (Three and a half seconds, (thirds, fourths, etc))2. 1 1/2 cups warm water ( one and a half)  or (One and a half seconds)Would three and one second and one and one second be also correct?Hmmm,   3 3/4?  how do you pronounce this?  Thanks

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
Which of these responses is correct?

1. 3 1/2 (3) (4) cups bread flour ( three and a half) or (Three and a half seconds, (thirds, fourths, etc))
A number with a fraction is commonly written as eg 3½ (pronounced 'three and a half'').
We also say eg three and a third, three and a quarter.

2. 1 1/2 cups warm water ( one and a half) or (One and a half seconds)
1½ (one and a half)

Would three and one second and one and one second be also correct?
No

Hmmm, 3 3/4? how do you pronounce this? Three and three quarters

Clive

you mean like this ½ ¼ ¾

Nina_Nia · Answer

But when do you say 'one second', one third, one quarters, three fourths, etc?

Would 3 4/1 be three and four firsts? ( I couldn't type it like you said to do)

Thanks

Khoff · Answer

We never say "one second" for one-half. "One second" refers only to a very short period of time.

And no one would ever write 3 4/1, at least not in a recipe. 4/1 is just the same as one, so 3 4/1 would equal 7. If you wanted to write that out in a math class, 4/1 would be pronounced "four over one," not "four firsts."

One-third, one-fourth, one quarter, three-fourths, three quarters are all correct. But never "firsts" or "seconds" referring to fractions.

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