To find the vertical distance between the gopher and the squirrel, you can add the absolute values of their distances from the ground (the depth of the gopher and the height of the squirrel).
- Gopher's depth: 1 1/2 feet (which is -1.5 feet below the surface)
- Squirrel's height: 9 3/4 feet (which is +9.75 feet above the surface)
Now we will convert the fractions to improper fractions for easier calculation:
- 1 1/2 feet = \( \frac{3}{2} \) feet (since \( 1 \times 2 + 1 = 3 \))
- 9 3/4 feet = \( \frac{39}{4} \) feet (since \( 9 \times 4 + 3 = 39 \))
Now convert \( \frac{3}{2} \) to have a common denominator with \( \frac{39}{4} \):
\[
\frac{3}{2} = \frac{3 \times 2}{2 \times 2} = \frac{6}{4}
\]
Now add the distances:
\[
\text{Distance} = \left( \frac{39}{4} + \frac{6}{4} \right) = \frac{39 + 6}{4} = \frac{45}{4}
\]
Now convert \( \frac{45}{4} \) back to a mixed number:
\[
\frac{45}{4} = 11 \frac{1}{4} \text{ (because 45 divided by 4 is 11 with a remainder of 1)}
\]
Thus, the vertical distance between the gopher and the squirrel is 11 and 1/4 feet.
So the answer is B 11 and 1/4 feet.