Question

How do you evaluate `104 - 6c + 3` for c = 1 1/2?

Answer 1

If the intended value of `c` is `1 1/2`, then we get `98`. (And perhaps a lesson in why mixed number format is not good for writing on a single line.)

Explanation:

`104 - 6c +3` for `c=1 1/2`

Substitute:

`104 - 6(1 1/2) +3`.

Now evaluate. Remember the order of operations, we need to multiply `6 xx 1 1/2 = 6 xx 3/2 = 6/1 xx 3/2 = (3 * cancel(2))/1 xx 3/cancel(2) = 9`

Now evaluate:

`104 - 9 +3` by doing Addition and Subtraction from left to right:

`104 - 9 +3 = (104-9) + 3 = 95 +3 = 98`

Note
It is sometimes difficult to read the difference between 1 1/2 and 11/2. Especially for people who do not used mixed numbers very often (if ever).