The formula v = u + at can be rearranged to find the value of u:
u = v - at
Given v = 1/2, a = 3/4, and t = 1 1/2, we can substitute into the equation:
u = 1/2 - (3/4)(1 1/2)
To simplify the expression in parentheses, we can convert 1 1/2 to a decimal:
u = 1/2 - (3/4)(1.5)
We can then perform the calculation:
u = 1/2 - (3/4)(1.5) = 1/2 - (3/4)*(1.5) = 1/2 - 1.125
u = -0.625
So the value of u is -0.625