Problem

Paul thinks of a number $n$. He divides $n$ by 2 and then subtracts $1 / 2$ from the result. He takes half of that result and then subtracts $1 / 2$ again. Translate this information in terms of $n$.
a. $1 / 4 n-1 / 2$
b. $1 / 4 n-1 / 4$
c. $1 / 4 n-3 / 4$
d. $1 / 2 n-1 / 2$
e. $3 / 4 n-3 / 4$

Answer

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Answer

\(\boxed{\frac{1}{4}n - \frac{3}{4}}\)

Steps

Step 1 :Divide $n$ by 2: $\frac{n}{2}$

Step 2 :Subtract $\frac{1}{2}$ from the result: $\frac{n}{2} - \frac{1}{2}$

Step 3 :Take half of that result: $\frac{1}{2}(\frac{n}{2} - \frac{1}{2})$

Step 4 :Subtract $\frac{1}{2}$ again: $\frac{1}{2}(\frac{n}{2} - \frac{1}{2}) - \frac{1}{2}$

Step 5 :Simplify the expression: $\frac{1}{4}n - \frac{3}{4}$

Step 6 :\(\boxed{\frac{1}{4}n - \frac{3}{4}}\)

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