Answer :
Sam made an error in understanding the conversion factor between teaspoons (tsp) and tablespoons (tbsp).
Here's the correct way to think about it:
1. The conversion factor is: [tex]\(1 \text{ tbsp} = 3 \text{ tsp}\)[/tex]. This means that for every 1 tablespoon, you have 3 teaspoons.
2. To convert from teaspoons to tablespoons, you need to divide the number of teaspoons by 3 (since 3 teaspoons make up 1 tablespoon).
Let's correct Sam's calculation with these steps:
- Sam started with 15 teaspoons.
- Using the conversion factor [tex]\(1 \text{ tbsp} = 3 \text{ tsp}\)[/tex], we should divide 15 teaspoons by 3 to convert to tablespoons.
[tex]\[
15 \text{ tsp} \div 3 = 5 \text{ tbsp}
\][/tex]
Therefore, 15 teaspoons is equal to 5 tablespoons. The error Sam made was multiplying by the conversion factor instead of dividing.
Here's the correct way to think about it:
1. The conversion factor is: [tex]\(1 \text{ tbsp} = 3 \text{ tsp}\)[/tex]. This means that for every 1 tablespoon, you have 3 teaspoons.
2. To convert from teaspoons to tablespoons, you need to divide the number of teaspoons by 3 (since 3 teaspoons make up 1 tablespoon).
Let's correct Sam's calculation with these steps:
- Sam started with 15 teaspoons.
- Using the conversion factor [tex]\(1 \text{ tbsp} = 3 \text{ tsp}\)[/tex], we should divide 15 teaspoons by 3 to convert to tablespoons.
[tex]\[
15 \text{ tsp} \div 3 = 5 \text{ tbsp}
\][/tex]
Therefore, 15 teaspoons is equal to 5 tablespoons. The error Sam made was multiplying by the conversion factor instead of dividing.
