They’re all but one or two related to baking and cooking, and you’re decimals that are completely perplexing. You have 1 3/4 cups of flour, sugar, or milk and a 2/3 of a measuring cup. That’s when you’ll be attempting to determine how many 2/3 cups are in 1 3/4 cups.
The shortcut: 2 and 5/8 of a 2/3 cup to reach 1 3/4 cups. It is not exactly possible to “take 5/8 of a cup”. So the next best thing to do would be to take two full 2/3 cups. And fill ‘er up short (short by perhaps 2/3 cup).
Table of Contents
Fractions in Cups: How To Make Sense
- 1 cup is the whole. Portion is used to divide the whole into parts.
- 2/3 is two third equal portions.
- 1 3/4 is one whole and three quarters.
And compare them by performing some simple calculations.
Converting to the Same Denominator
In comparing fractions, we already have them in the same denominator.
- 2/3 = 8/12
- 1/4 = 3/12
So 1 3/4 = 1 + 3/4 = 4/4 + 3/4 = 7/4
Now we must figure out how much 2/3 cups (8/12) you will be utilizing in 7/4.
Solving the Math
Divide, let’s divide:
1 3/4 ÷ 2/3 = ?
Change them first to improper fractions:
- 1 3/4 = 7/4
- 2/3 is the same.
Divide now:
7/4 ÷ 2/3 = 7/4 × 3/2 = 21/8 = 2 and 5/8
That’s how much: you’ll be using 2 and 5/8 of a 2/3 cup. So you’ll have 1 3/4 cups.
Kitchen Shortcut
5/8 cup is too bad to have just laying around, so do the following:
- Double your amount in your 2/3 cup. That’s 1 1/3 cups.
- You still owe 7/12 of a cup (because 1 3/4 – 1 1/3 = 5/12).
- Guessing, fill your 2/3 cup short of half. That’s about 5/12 cup.
- Now you have a total of 1 3/4 cups.
Why This Matters
Baking will allow for some mistake, but cooking won’t. Measure carefully does exactly what it says.
- Having too much flour will result in cakes being heavy.
- Having too much sugar will cause cookies to be too sweet.
- Having too much liquid will result in batter being soggy.
It is for this reason that having the capability to get 2/3 cups to 1 3/4 cups right is so vital.
Examples in Real Life
This is how you do it with recipes:
- Cookies: You need 1 3/4 cups of sugar. You use a 2/3 cup measuring scoop. Fill it to the top and then less than half the scoop.
- Rice: You need 1 3/4 cups of rice. Measure two 2/3 cups and then less than half a scoop.
- Cake mix: You will need 1 3/4 cups of milk. Just as you do when you are using your 2/3 cup scoop.
With practice, you will be able to locate that “extra bit.”
Measuring in Tablespoons
If you are one of those people who likes to be exact, you can even measure in tablespoons.
- 1 cup = 16 tablespoons
- 2/3 cup = 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
- 1 3/4 cups = 28 tablespoons
Now divide 28 by 10 2/3 (how much is a 2/3 cup):
28 ÷ 10.67 ≈ 2.63
That’s 2 and 5/8 cups. Math must be accurate then.
Looking With Water
It’s just another way of doing it accurately with water.
- Draw out 2/3 cup of water from a 2/3 cup measuring cup.
- Pour in a big glass or a bowl. Do it twice.
- Add on another half scoop.
You now have 1 3/4 cups of water. You can use milk, juice, or any liquid ingredient for this trick.
The Technique is Easy for Kids
It is an easy technique to use with kids to learn that fractions are all around them. They are considering complete cups and not numbers on paper.
- Practice two 2/3 cups = 1 1/3 cups.
- Add another 2/3 cup to make it equal to 1 3/4.
- Have them measure using cups of water, cups of rice, or cups of flour.
Makes cooking such a great math lesson.
Common Mistakes
These are errors people do when trying to measure 1 3/4 cups using 2/3 cups:
- Begins with two 2/3 cup scoops. That is 1 1/3 cups, short.
- Filling three full 2/3 cups. That is 2 cups, too much.
- Scooping out of the measuring cup and taking the wrong ingredients.
The sneaky mnemonic trick is: you have 2 full scoops and less than half a scoop of your 2/3 cup.
Why Recipes Require 1 3/4 Cups
You’re wondering why in the world recipes always require 2 cups never, but just 1 3/4. It’s a matter of balance.
- 1 3/4 cups is a bit more than 1 1/2 but a bit less than 2.
- It will achieve the right texture for cakes, breads, cookies, and sauces.
Accurate recipe testing amounts such as this size can best be directed to desired results.
That is the reason 1 3/4 cups seem so universal.
Quick Conversion Table
Here is a quick table:
- 1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons
- 1/2 cup = 8 tablespoons
- 2/3 cup = 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
- 1 cup = 16 tablespoons
- 1 3/4 cups = 28 tablespoons
Doubling 2/3 cups and 1 3/4 cups step by step from here is below.
FAQs on 2/3 Cups and 1 3/4 Cups
How much different is 1 3/4 cups from 2/3 cups?
1 3/4 cups is around 2 and 5/8 of a 2/3 cup.
I just use 3 full 2/3 cups?
No. 3 full 2/3 cups will be 2 cups. That’s too much.
How do I take out 5/8 of a 2/3 cup?
Fill half of your 2/3 cup. That’s good enough to 5/8.
1 3/4 cups in tablespoons, how is that?
1 3/4 cups = 28 tablespoons.
2/3 cup in tablespoons, how many is it?
2/3 cup = 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons.
How many 2/3 cups are contained in 1 3/4 cups?
2 and 5/8 of a 2/3 cup. Two full scoops of 2/3 cup and less than half a scoop.
This is great if you don’t have all the measuring cups. It will measure flour, sugar, rice, water, milk, or whatever you’re using. Doesn’t take much time at all, after a bit of practice, you will be measuring and plowing through your recipes like a pro each time.
