Question

What is half of `1 1/2` cups?

Answer 1

`3/4` cup

Explanation:

`1/2xx1 1/2=1/2xx3/2=3/4`

Answer 2

`3/4` cup

Explanation:

`1 1/2` can be written as an improper fraction `3/2`

`1/2` of anything means `1/2 xx` anything

So
`1/2` of `1 1/2`
`color(white)("XXX")=1/2xx3/2`

`color(white)("XXX")=(1xx3)/(2xx2)`

`color(white)("XXX")=3/4`
or 0.75

Answer 3

`1/2 + 1/4 = 2/4 +1/4 = 3/4`

Explanation:

We can work this out with a bit of thinking and without having to use the fraction operations which students find difficult.

Half of `1 1/2` cups can be thought of as:
half of one cup and half of half a cup.

Half of 1 is `1/2`

Half of `1/2`  is  `1/4`

Now we have `1/2 + 1/4 = 2/4 +1/4 = 3/4`

This can be nicely shown by using the measuring cups of different sizes used in baking.

Nice introduction to fractions from a practical point of view.

Answer 4

Half of 1 1/2 cups is 3/4 cups.

Explanation:

You can solve this problem with logic, like EZ as pi did.
Or you can solve it with math like Trevor and Alan did.

Or you can solve it by thinking of it as money instead of cups..
Most people have reliable intuition and problem-solving skills about money.

Changing the topic to money, the problem says that you and your brother want to split $1.50 in half.

1) You split the dollar bill (which is 4 quarters) in half so that each brother gets 2 quarters each.
2) You split the 50 cents into one quarter each.

Now each brother has 3 quarters.
3 quarters is 3/4

Money or cups, the answer is the same.