Joel is

Joel is 2 1/2 inches shorter than Carlos. Carlos is 1 1/4 inches taller than Dan. If Dan is 58 1/4 inches tall, how many inches tall is Joel?

Correct answer:

J =  57 in

Step-by-step explanation:

$$\begin{gathered} a=2\frac{1}{2}=2+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{2\cdot 2+1}{2}=\frac{4+1}{2}=\frac{5}{2}=2.5\text{in} \\ b=1\frac{1}{4}=1+\frac{1}{4}=\frac{1\cdot 4+1}{4}=\frac{4+1}{4}=\frac{5}{4}=1.25\text{in} \\ D=58\frac{1}{4}=58+\frac{1}{4}=\frac{58\cdot 4+1}{4}=\frac{232+1}{4}=\frac{233}{4}=58.25\text{in} \\ C=D+b=\frac{233}{4}+\frac{5}{4}=\frac{233+5}{4}=\frac{238}{4}=\frac{119}{2}=59.5\text{in} \\ J=C-a=\frac{119}{2}-\frac{5}{2}=\frac{119-5}{2}=\frac{114}{2}=57\text{in} \end{gathered}$$

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