\( 17 ft 3 in. - 15 ft 9 in . \)

To solve \( 17 \text{ ft } 3 \text{ in.} - 15 \text{ ft } 9 \text{ in.} \), first convert feet to inches. There are 12 inches in a foot, so: \( 17 \text{ ft } = 17 \times 12 = 204 \text{ in.} \) Adding the 3 inches gives \( 204 + 3 = 207 \text{ in.} \) For \( 15 \text{ ft } 9 \text{ in.} \): \( 15 \text{ ft } = 15 \times 12 = 180 \text{ in.} \) Adding the 9 inches gives \( 180 + 9 = 189 \text{ in.} \) Now subtract: \( 207 \text{ in.} - 189 \text{ in.} = 18 \text{ in.} \) Convert 18 inches back to feet and inches: \( 18 \text{ in.} = 1 \text{ ft } 6 \text{ in.} \) So, \( 17 \text{ ft } 3 \text{ in.} - 15 \text{ ft } 9 \text{ in.} = 1 \text{ ft } 6 \text{ in.} \) This operation is an excellent reminder of how vital converting units can be in real-world scenarios, such as home renovations where precise measurements are crucial. Many find themselves struggling with conversions and calculations, leading to common mistakes such as forgetting the total inches to feet conversion. Always keep a conversion chart handy to avoid these pitfalls, and double-check your work for accuracy!