1/2 = 0.5
12 & 1/2 = 12 + 1/2 = 12 + 0.5 = 12.5
4 & 1/2 = 4 + 1/2 = 4 + 0.5 = 4.5
Refer to the diagram below. Note how I divided the figure into two rectangles.
The larger red rectangle is 12.5 feet by 10 feet. It has area 12.5*10 = 125 square feet.
The smaller blue rectangle has dimensions 4.5 feet by 5 feet (the 5 is from 15-10 = 5), so it has area 4.5*5 = 22.5 square feet
Now add up those individual areas to get the total area
125+22.5 = 147.5
Then convert that to a mixed number
147.5 = 147 + 0.5 = 147 + 1/2 = 147 & 1/2
The correct area is 147 & 1/2 feet
