What is the first step to simplifying (4x 3/2y -1/4) 1/2?

Question

 

                      1/2

(4x 3/2y -1/4)

Answer 1

This is an unusual way to write an expression if x is a letter. Another issue is the placement of y. Is this the same expression as

a) (4x*(3/2)*y - 1/4)*(1/2) or

b) (4x*3/(2y -1/4))*(1/2) or

c) (4x*3/(2y) -1/4)*(1/2) ?

 

The problem is probably written as two line fractions with the numerators clearly above the denominators but when it is written on one line the use of parenthesis and more operations help clarify the problem.

Answer 2

Is the "x" a letter x, or the symbol for multiplication?