Subject: homework math problem

My daughter has a math question and I am afraid I am of no help. Can you help? 2x5/2+1-5= She arrives at 8 as the answer and has been told this is incorrect. Any help you can give would be appreciated.

thank you
Margaret Pratt

Hi Margaret,

When performing arithmetic operations the convention is to do any multiplications and divisions before additions and subtractions. In your daughter's problem

2 x 5 / 2 + 1 - 5

the first step is to multiply 2 times 5 and then divide by 2. Thus

2 x 5 / 2 + 1 - 5
= 10 / 2 + 1 - 5
= 5 + 1 - 5

and finally perform the addition and subtraction

5 + 1 - 5
= 6 - 5
= 1 I hope this helps,
Penny
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