You have to add the according numbers bcoz the a and b are just adding up
3+6 9
1. 4 3/4 feet = 19/4 feet
2 2/5 feet=12/5 feet.
multiplying them together yields


Part 2:
11.4 ft^2 - 4 1/2 ft^2=
11.4-4.5=6.9 ft^2 = 69/10 ft^2 left after you subtract the decoration in the middle
Now you're trying to find now many rectangular cutouts (that each are 3/8 ft^2) will fit in the remaining space.
You do that by dividing the remaining space left by 3/8:

since you have to have a whole number of cutouts, you round 92/5 down to 90/5, which is
18 cutouts
Answer:
The value of the expression increases as j decreases
Step-by-step explanation:
Let 

As j decreases, the value of j300 decreases (i.e the farther j300 is from 150). Due to the wider gap between 150 and j300, the value of f(j) increases.
For example:
When j = 1, f(j) = 150 - (300*1) = -150
When j = 0.5, f(j) = 150 - (300*0.5) = 0
When j = 0. f(j) = 150 - (300*0) = 150
It is obvious from the analogy above that the expression 150-j150−j150 increases as j decreases
The following is also equivalent to 2 1/3:
2.33
7/3
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.