A fruit punch recipe calls for 1 gallon of punch syrup and 4 gallons of water to make 5 gallons of punch. How much water is needed to make 15 gallons of fruit punch?
A. 15 gallons
B. 3 gallons
C. 12 gallons
D. 60 gallons

Question

A fruit punch recipe calls for 1 gallon of punch syrup and 4 gallons of water to make 5 gallons of punch.  How much water is needed to make 15 gallons of fruit punch?
A.	15 gallons
B.	3 gallons
C.	12 gallons
D.	60 gallons

hero · Answer

Stumped?

anonymous · Answer

I've got the answer

hero · Answer

The answer? Do you now how you got the answer?

anonymous · Answer

I don't even know why I ask sometimes -_-

anonymous · Answer

Yes

hero · Answer

How'd you figure it out? Explain

anonymous · Answer

okay , I think i multiplied

anonymous · Answer

yeah 4 and 15

anonymous · Answer

Is that right?

anonymous · Answer

because  each gallons
 of syrup needs 4 gallons of water

anonymous · Answer

I got stuck for a second

hero · Answer

4 and 15 what? That's not the answer by the way

anonymous · Answer

So 60 is wrong?

hero · Answer

Way off. It's not even close

anonymous · Answer

oh oops it's 12

hero · Answer

First of all, notice how 

1 gallon of syrup+ 4 gallons of water = 5 gallons of punch

Now we need to figure out: 

x gallons of syrup + y gallons of water = 15 gallons of punch.

hero · Answer

Yes, the answer is 12, but once again, how did you figure it out?

anonymous · Answer

Wel, the 1 gallon of syrup and 4 gallons of water = 5 gallons and it wants to know how many gallons of water would I need to get 15 gallons so 4 x 3 = 15 and it's really difficult for me to explain sometimes I just answer :/

hero · Answer

$$4 \times 3 \ne 15$$ by the way

anonymous · Answer

But I used multiplication to get my answer 4 x 3 = 12 or 4 + 4 + 4
my standard gave me 12

anonymous · Answer

I didn't mean to type 15 xD

hero · Answer

The rule of thumb in general is usually "if you can't explain it, then you don't really fully understand it".

anonymous · Answer

It's mainly because I don't trust myself I'm always second guessing. But I guess you are right.

hero · Answer

That's a good guess. I know from experience. Anytime you come up with an answer to a question, but can't explain how you got it, you basically have no proof that you understand the problem, nor that you know how to do it. Anyone can state an answer to a question. Someone could give you the answer to a question and then you can tell your teacher you know what the answer is. But if he or she asks you how you got the answer, you must be prepared to explain. Explaining the steps of how to get from the problem to the solution is more important. Knowing the process is more important than knowing the answer.

anonymous · Answer

Thank you :)

anonymous · Answer

You are excellent

anonymous · Answer

I have a few more questions I could use your help with