Final answer:
The subtraction "four minus five and a half" results in -1.5. This operation is equivalent to 4 + (-5.5), following the rules of subtraction as the addition of a negative number.
Step-by-step explanation:
The result of the subtraction "four minus five and a half" is found by subtracting 5.5 from 4. Applying the operation, we get 4 - 5.5. When subtracting a larger number from a smaller one, the result is negative. Thus, 4 - 5.5 equals -1.5.
To provide another perspective, we can think of this as adding the opposite of 5.5 to 4. In terms of addition, this is 4 + (-5.5), which also equals -1.5. This aligns with the rule that in subtraction, changing the sign of the number being subtracted and then following the rules of addition will yield the correct result.
The correct answer to "four minus five and a half" is therefore -1.5, which corresponds to option A).