or 1:2. Any change in this ratio and the
recipe’s result will not be the same—and
the food might not be edible.
Another way of looking at cooking
and mathematics is when changing the
amount of ingredients in a recipe. For
example, when a recipe calls for a certain
amount of each ingredient, and the cook
wants to make half a recipe, everything in
the list is divided in half. Two cups of
sugar becomes one cup, 1/2 teaspoon of
vanilla becomes 1/4 teaspoon, and so on.
The same logic applies if the cook wants
to double the recipe, but in this case
everything is multiplied by two. Two cups
of sugar becomes 4 cups; 1/2 teaspoon of
vanilla becomes 1 teaspoon; and so on.
What does it mean when a test score
is marked “on the curve”?
A test score marked “on the curve” means that the marks will roughly follow what is
often called a Gaussian Probability Distribution—or, more commonly, a bell curve.
This symmetrically shaped curve is based on the test scores of the exam. In a perfect
world, one-sixth of the scores would be on either end of the curve, with more than
two-thirds falling in the middle, creating a normal distribution.
But most test results are not ideal. Thus, when a plot of the number of students
versus the marks received are viewed, the relative difficulty of the test is known. It is
then up to the teacher to decide how to distribute the grades (this is usually done by
comparing each student’s mark to the distribution curve). The teacher then decides
where to cut off the passing and failing marks, which is often referred to as curving
the grades. (For more about normal distribution, see “Applied Mathematics.”)
What do the numbers on gas and electric metersmeasure?
Gas and electric meters measure the daily gas or power usage, usually of a house or
other building. The standard electric meters are clocklike devices that record the
amount of usage. As a house or business draws on the electric current, a set of small
gears inside the meter move. The number of revolutions are recorded by dials in the
meter, with the speed of revolutions determined by the amount of power consumed.
Newer digital models record power usage digitally. 401
EVERYDAY MATH
Chefs and other cooks use mathematical ratios all
the time when measuring ingredients for recipes.
Stone/Getty Images.