Can you help me understand Empower?

[Demon of Death]

I re-read Empower Spell recently, and I want to make sure that I use it correctly, as it confuses me currently.

Examples

Shivering Touch (http://dndtools.eu/spells/frostburn--68/shivering-touch--1291/), would I roll 4 dice for 3*1.5 or would I roll 3 dice then take that total and multiply that by 1.5?

Improved Mage Armor (http://dndtools.eu/spells/unapproachable-east--33/improved-mage-armor--3459/), would I have the total of 8 (at caster level 10+) and multiply that by 1.5 for a total of 12, or would I do 5*1.5 for 7, for a total of 10

[nedz]

I re-read Empower Spell recently, and I want to make sure that I use it correctly, as it confuses me currently.

Correct


Shivering Touch (http://dndtools.eu/spells/frostburn--68/shivering-touch--1291/), would I roll 4 dice for 3*1.5 or would I roll 3 dice then take that total and multiply that by 1.5?

Roll 3d6 and multiply the result by 1.5


Improved Mage Armor (http://dndtools.eu/spells/unapproachable-east--33/improved-mage-armor--3459/), would I have the total of 8 (at caster level 10+) and multiply that by 1.5 for a total of 12, or would I do 5*1.5 for 7, for a total of 10
Incorrect. This is not a random variable.
So +8 (at caster level 10+)