One cookbook recommends that a person can substitute $1\,\text{Tbsp}$ of dried mint leaves for $(1)/(4)\,\text{c}$ of fresh mint leaves. The salad recipe calls for $2\,\text{Tbsp}$ of fresh mint leaves. How many $\text{Tbsp}$ of dried mint leaves could a person substitute into the recipe? (There are $16\,\text{Tbsp}$ in $1\,\text{c}$ .)

Full solution

Q. One cookbook recommends that a person can substitute

1\,\text{Tbsp}

of dried mint leaves for

(1)/(4)\,\text{c}

of fresh mint leaves. The salad recipe calls for

2\,\text{Tbsp}

of fresh mint leaves. How many

\text{Tbsp}

of dried mint leaves could a person substitute into the recipe? (There are

16\,\text{Tbsp}

1\,\text{c}

Calculate tablespoons in $1/4$ cup: First, let's find out how many tablespoons are in $1/4$ cup, since that's the amount of fresh mint the cookbook says can be replaced by $1$ tablespoon of dried mint. $\newline$ $\frac{1}{4} \text{ cup} \times 16 \frac{\text{tablespoons}}{\text{cup}} = 4 \text{ tablespoons}.$
Substitute fresh mint with dried mint: Now, we know that $4$ tablespoons of fresh mint can be substituted with $1$ tablespoon of dried mint. The recipe calls for $2$ tablespoons of fresh mint.
Convert $2$ tablespoons fresh mint to dried mint: If $4$ tablespoons of fresh mint are equivalent to $1$ tablespoon of dried mint, then $2$ tablespoons of fresh mint would be half of that amount in dried mint. $\newline$ So, $\frac{1}{2} \times 1$ tablespoon of dried mint = $\frac{1}{2}$ tablespoon of dried mint.