Final answer:
Option B: The subtraction of a negative number in the problem 12 1/2 - (-4 1/2) is equivalent to addition. Thus, 12 1/2 plus the absolute value of -4 1/2 equals 17.
Step-by-step explanation:
The calculation of 12 1/2 - (-4 1/2) involves subtracting a negative number, which is the same as adding its absolute value. When we add the absolute value of -4 1/2 to 12 1/2, we get:
- 12 1/2 = 12.5
- -4 1/2 = -4.5 (the absolute value is 4.5)
Now, add 12.5 and 4.5 together:
12.5 + 4.5 = 17
Therefore, 12 1/2 - (-4 1/2) equals 17, which corresponds to option b.
To subtract mixed numbers, we need to convert them to improper fractions.
12 1/2 as an improper fraction is 25/2 and -4 1/2 as an improper fraction is -9/2.
Now we can subtract the fractions: 25/2 - (-9/2) = 25/2 + 9/2 = 34/2 = 17.
So, 12 1/2 - (-4 1/2) is equal to 17.