this is a conversion problem
First you must understand that 1 foot = 12inches
Given a ribbon that is 5 1/2 feet long
To convert to inches, you will simply multiply 5 1/2 by 12 as shown;
= 5 1/2 * 12
convert the mixed fraction to improper fraction
= 11/2 * 12
= 11 * 12/2
= 11 * 6
= 66 inches
Hence the ribbon is 66 inches long