Question

The numerical expression (36➗4*3)-8+10 is simplified as follows. In which step, if any, did the first error occur?
Step 1: (9*3)-8+10
Step 2: 27-8+10
Step 3: 27-18=9
A. Step 2
B. Step 1
C. No error occurred
D. Step 3

Answer 1

To analyze the simplification of the expression (36➗4*3)-8+10, let's break it down step by step and see if there are any errors.

1. Start with the original expression:
\((36➗4*3)-8+10\)

2. According to the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS), we perform division and multiplication from left to right.

\[ 36 ÷ 4 = 9 \]
\[ 9 * 3 = 27 \]

3. So, the expression after evaluating the division and multiplication is:
\(27 - 8 + 10\)

4. The next step is to simplify \(27 - 8\) and then add \(10\):
\(27 - 8 = 19\)
\(19 + 10 = 29\)

Now, let's look at the steps given:

- Step 1: (9*3)-8+10 (This is correct)
- Step 2: 27-8+10 (This is correct)
- Step 3: 27-18=9 (This is incorrect. The correct subtraction should be \(27-8=19\))

Since the error occurs in Step 3 where it incorrectly states that \(27 - 18 = 9\) instead of \(27 - 8 = 19\), the first error occurred in:

**D. Step 3**.