On the first day camping, a group hiked at a rate of 2 1/4 miles per hour for 2 1/2 hours before taking a break. How many miles had the group hiked before the break?

First, use the distributive property and split 2 off from 1/2 in the hours category.

(2) (1/2)

Next, multiply 2 1/4 times 2, the first integer in the distributive equation.

2 1/4*2 = 4 1/2

For now, put 4 1/2 aside.

Then, multiply 2 1/4 by 1/2.

2 1/4*1/2 = 1 1/8

Now, add the two products together

4 1/2 + 1 1/8 = 5 5/8

Answer is 5 and 5/8

Hope this helps!