If `a ** b = a + b + a/b`, then the value of `12 **4` is :

Options

A. 20
B. 21
C. 48
D. 19

Answer

To solve the problem where \( a ** b = a + b + \frac{a}{b} \) and we need to find the value of \( 12 ** 4 \), we will follow these steps:

### Step 1: Substitute the values into the expression
We start with the expression given in the problem:
\[ 12 ** 4 = 12 + 4 + \frac{12}{4} \]

### Step 2: Calculate \( 12 + 4 \)
Now we calculate the sum of \( 12 \) and \( 4 \):
\[ 12 + 4 = 16 \]

### Step 3: Calculate \( \frac{12}{4} \)
Next, we compute \( \frac{12}{4} \):
\[ \frac{12}{4} = 3 \]

### Step 4: Add the results from Step 2 and Step 3
Now, we add the results from Step 2 and Step 3:
\[ 16 + 3 = 19 \]

### Final Result
Thus, the value of \( 12 ** 4 \) is:
\[ \boxed{19} \]

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