First you need to know how much 5/8 a cup is times three. You need to Multiply the Numerator by three as asked in the question, resulting in the total amount to be 15/8. This is how much she needs but since she only has 1 and 1/2, subtract 15/8 by 1 and 1/2. If you put the two into decimals it will be much simpler, 1 and 1/2 to 1.5 and 15/8 to 1.87. Now you can subtract the two. 1.5 - 1.87 = 0.37 which is roughly one third a cup of butter
So 0.37 cups of butter is needed to be borrowed by her neighbors. I am about 90% sure I did this right, though hope it helps.
