John buys 2 packs of gum and 3 candy bars.  Each stick of gum cost half as much as the candy bar.  If the candy bar cost $1.5 each, how much did he pay in total?
The gum cost $1.5/2=$
<gadget id="calculator">1.5/2</gadget>
<output>0.75</output>
.75 per pack.
So he pays $.75*2=$
<gadget id="calculator">.75*2</gadget>
<output>1.5</output>
1.5 for the gum.
He pays $1.5*3=$
<gadget id="calculator">1.5*3</gadget>
<output>4.5</output>
4.5 for the candy bars.
So in total, he pays $1.5 + $4.5 = $
<gadget id="calculator">1.5+4.5</gadget>
<output>6</output>
6.

<result>6</result>