4 1/2 can be expressed as a decimal. It would be 4.5
Now, we are told that 4.5 is to 8 as x is to 24
We would set up the equations as shown below
4.5 = 8
x = 24
By cross multiplying, we would have
x * 8 = 24 * 4.5
8x = 108
Dividing both sides of the equation by 8, we have
8x/8 = 108/8
x = 13.5
x = 13 1/2