Question

a baker uses 4 cups of flour. she uses $\frac{1}{4}$ cup to flour the counters and the rest to make 8 identical muffins.

elena has an 8-foot piece of ribbon. she cuts off a piece that is $\frac{1}{4}$ of a foot long and cuts the remainder into four pieces of equal length.

$8x+\frac{1}{4}=4$
$\frac{1}{4}+4x=8$
$4+\frac{1}{4}x=8$

Explanation:

Step1: Match baker's problem to equation

Let $x$ = flour per muffin. Total flour: $8x + \frac{1}{4} = 4$

Step2: Match Elena's problem to equation

Let $x$ = length of each equal piece. Total ribbon: $\frac{1}{4} + 4x = 8$

Answer:

1. A baker uses 4 cups of flour... → $8x+\frac{1}{4}=4$
2. Elena has an 8-foot piece of ribbon... → $\frac{1}{4}+4x=8$