I just plugged in 15 for b and 9 for c and got -15
.5 cups is equal to 1/2 cup.
Half of 1 cup equals 4 fluid ounces.
When you divide -8/2=-4 and 2/2=1
-4<1
when you divide by a negative number your sign changes
4>-1
This is what I got as the answer, 2b x (12-17a)