Question

Margaret needs to find the value of the expression below.
1/2 - 3/4 (11 + 5) + 1/4
Which expression has the same value?




B.




C.




D.

Answer 1

To find the value of the expression, we need to perform the operations in the correct order, following the rules of PEMDAS (parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division from left to right, and addition and subtraction from left to right).

First, we simplify the expression inside the parentheses:
11 + 5 = 16

Next, we perform the multiplication and division operations:
3/4 * 16 = 12
1/2 - 12 + 1/4

To perform addition and subtraction from left to right:
1/2 - 12 = -11 1/2

Next, we add 1/4 to -11 1/2:
-11 1/2 + 1/4

To add these fractions, we need to have a common denominator:
-11 2/4 + 1/4 = -11 3/4

So, the value of the expression is -11 3/4.

To find another expression with the same value, we can choose an expression that simplifies to -11 3/4.

For example, option B could be:
1/2 - 16/4 + 1/4

To perform the multiplication and division operations:
16/4 = 4

1/2 - 4 + 1/4

To perform addition and subtraction from left to right:
1/2 - 4 = -3 1/2

Next, we add 1/4 to -3 1/2:
-3 1/2 + 1/4 = - 3 1/4

So, option B has the same value as the original expression, which is -3 1/4.

Therefore, the answer is B.