To determine which sign makes the statement true between \( 8 \frac{1}{2} \) and \( \frac{17}{2} \), let's first convert \( 8 \frac{1}{2} \) into an improper fraction.
- Convert to improper fraction: \[ 8 \frac{1}{2} = 8 + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{16}{2} + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{16 + 1}{2} = \frac{17}{2} \]
Now we have:
- \( 8 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{17}{2} \)
- The other value is also \( \frac{17}{2} \).
Now we can compare:
- \( \frac{17}{2} \) is equal to \( \frac{17}{2} \).
This means the statement can be expressed as: \[ 8 \frac{1}{2} \quad ? \quad \frac{17}{2} \] Since both are equal, the appropriate sign to make the statement true is: \[
\]
Therefore, the true statement is: \[ 8 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{17}{2} \]