Barbara asked the butcher for 4 1/2 pound steaks that cost $15.00/pound. She also asked for a pound and half of chicken breasts that were $8.00 a pound. How much did she spend at the butchers? Think carefully first, then make a decision:
She ordered 4 1 / 2 pound steaks so that's 4 * .5 = 2 pounds of steak. The steak cost $15.00 a pound and she bought 2 pounds so that's 15 * 2 = $30.00 for 4 steaks. She also needed 1.5 pounds of chicken breasts at $8.00 a pound so that's 1.5 * 8 = $12.00 for chicken. The steaks cost $30.00 and the chicken cost $12.00 for a total of 30 + 12 = $42.00 spent at the butchers. So, the answer is 42.