Question

Frederick evaluates the numerical expression [(53.7 + 37.2) - (3 3 + 3.8)] - 8.6 and records the answer as 51.5. Lana evaluates the numerical expression 53.7 + 37.2 - 3 3 + 3.8 - 8.6 and records the answer as 59.1. The expressions have the same numbers and operations. Explain how Frederick and Lana can both be correct.

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Answer 1

Both people can be correct because of a little something called PEMDAS or the OOO (order of operations). In the first problem, the equation includes brackets and parentheses, doing 53.7+37.2 THEN 33+3.8 THEN subtracting them THEN subtracting 8.6 from that number, instead of doing 53.7+37.2 THEN subtracting 33 THEN adding 3.8 THEN subtracting 8.6. Doing certain parts of the equation first, dicated by the parentheses/brackets/braces, can change the final answer. The second expression has you going in order one by one, while the first has you doing groups of the equation at a time (neither are wrong or bad).