To determine how many bracelets Sam can make, we first need to convert the total length of cord he has into an improper fraction.
Sam has 1 1/2 feet of cord. We convert this to an improper fraction:
1 1/2 = 1 + 1/2 = 2/2 + 1/2 = 3/2 feet
Each bracelet requires 1/4 foot of cord. To find out how many bracelets he can make, we divide the total length of the cord by the length needed for one bracelet:
\[ \text{Number of bracelets} = \frac{\text{Total cord}}{\text{Cord per bracelet}} = \frac{3/2}{1/4} \]
Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal:
\[ \frac{3/2}{1/4} = 3/2 \times 4/1 = \frac{3 \times 4}{2 \times 1} = \frac{12}{2} = 6 \]
Therefore, Sam can make 6 bracelets.