To simplify the mixed number \( 4 - \frac{1}{2} \), you can first convert the mixed number into an improper fraction.
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Convert \( 4 \) to a fraction with the same denominator as \( \frac{1}{2} \): \[ 4 = \frac{4 \times 2}{1 \times 2} = \frac{8}{2} \]
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Now, subtract \( \frac{1}{2} \) from \( \frac{8}{2} \): \[ \frac{8}{2} - \frac{1}{2} = \frac{8 - 1}{2} = \frac{7}{2} \]
Thus, \( 4 - \frac{1}{2} \) simplifies to \( \frac{7}{2} \).
So, the final answer is \( \frac{7}{2} \).