Select the correct option which makes the given expression true.
`12.5+5(3)/(8)+8(1)/(8)+9(4)/(5)square2.9+15-6.88+11.08`

Options

A. `lt`
B. `gt`
C. `=`
D. Can't be determined

Answer

To solve the expression and determine the correct option, we will break down the left-hand side (LHS) and right-hand side (RHS) of the equation step by step.

### Step 1: Calculate the Right-Hand Side (RHS)
The RHS is given as:
\[ 2.9 + 15 - 6.88 + 11.08 \]

1. **Add 2.9 and 15**:
\[ 2.9 + 15 = 17.9 \]

2. **Subtract 6.88 from 17.9**:
\[ 17.9 - 6.88 = 11.02 \]

3. **Add 11.08 to 11.02**:
\[ 11.02 + 11.08 = 22.1 \]

So, the RHS equals **22.1**.

### Step 2: Calculate the Left-Hand Side (LHS)
The LHS is given as:
\[ 12.5 + 5 \frac{3}{8} + 8 \frac{1}{8} + 9 \frac{4}{5} \]

1. **Convert mixed fractions to improper fractions**:
- For \(5 \frac{3}{8}\):
\[ 5 \frac{3}{8} = \frac{5 \times 8 + 3}{8} = \frac{40 + 3}{8} = \frac{43}{8} \]
- For \(8 \frac{1}{8}\):
\[ 8 \frac{1}{8} = \frac{8 \times 8 + 1}{8} = \frac{64 + 1}{8} = \frac{65}{8} \]
- For \(9 \frac{4}{5}\):
\[ 9 \frac{4}{5} = 9 + 0.8 = 9.8 \]

2. **Combine all terms**:
\[ LHS = 12.5 + \frac{43}{8} + \frac{65}{8} + 9.8 \]

3. **Combine the fractions**:
\[ \frac{43}{8} + \frac{65}{8} = \frac{43 + 65}{8} = \frac{108}{8} \]

4. **Convert \( \frac{108}{8} \) to decimal**:
\[ \frac{108}{8} = 13.5 \]

5. **Now add all the terms**:
\[ LHS = 12.5 + 13.5 + 9.8 \]

6. **Calculate \( 12.5 + 13.5 \)**:
\[ 12.5 + 13.5 = 26 \]

7. **Add 9.8 to 26**:
\[ 26 + 9.8 = 35.8 \]

So, the LHS equals **35.8**.

### Step 3: Compare LHS and RHS
Now we have:
- LHS = 35.8
- RHS = 22.1

Since \( 35.8 > 22.1 \), we conclude that the LHS is greater than the RHS.

### Conclusion
The correct option that makes the expression true is the greater than sign ( > ).

---