Question

How is 5 1/2inches the same as 11 half inches?

Answer 1

If you must, try writing the fraction (1/2) eleven times and then write the addition operator ( " + "  ) between each such fraction:  (1/2) + (1/2) + ....... + (1/2) + (1/2).  You'll see that adding 11 of these fractions (1/2) together produces a sum of 5 1/2.

Answer 2

Well you add 1/2  + 1/2 = 1 in
(1/2+1/2) + (1/2+1/2) + (1/2+1/2) + (1/2+1/2) + (1/2+1/2) + 1/2=
    2 half inches per parentheses pairs which is 5 plus the 1/2 inch 
( 11 half inches shown above)