5+4\cdot2+6-2\cdot2-1

Insert parentheses in Expression 2 so that it has a value of 19. Then show why your expression has a
value of 19.

1 answer

To insert parentheses in the expression \( 5 + 4 \cdot 2 + 6 - 2 \cdot 2 - 1 \) so that it equals 19, we can proceed with the following arrangement:

\[ 5 + (4 \cdot 2) + 6 - (2 \cdot 2) - 1 \]

Now let's calculate the value of this expression step by step:

  1. Compute \( 4 \cdot 2 \): \[ 4 \cdot 2 = 8 \]

  2. Compute \( 2 \cdot 2 \): \[ 2 \cdot 2 = 4 \]

  3. Substitute these values back into the expression: \[ 5 + 8 + 6 - 4 - 1 \]

  4. Now perform the addition and subtraction in order:

    • Start with \( 5 + 8 \): \[ 5 + 8 = 13 \]
    • Then add \( 6 \): \[ 13 + 6 = 19 \]
    • Next, subtract \( 4 \): \[ 19 - 4 = 15 \]
    • Finally, subtract \( 1 \): \[ 15 - 1 = 14 \]

Oh, I realize I misunderstood your requirement. The expression must equal 19. Let's try again by inserting different parentheses.

After examining how to reach a sum of 19, here’s an alternative arrangement:

Revising to: \[ (5 + 4) \cdot 2 + 6 - 2 \cdot 2 - 1 \]

Calculating this gives:

  1. Calculate \( 5 + 4 \): \[ 5 + 4 = 9 \]

  2. Now multiply by \( 2 \): \[ 9 \cdot 2 = 18 \]

  3. Substitute this value back into the expression: \[ 18 + 6 - 4 - 1 \]

  4. Now perform the addition and subtraction:

    • Start with \( 18 + 6 \): \[ 18 + 6 = 24 \]
    • Next, subtract \( 4 \): \[ 24 - 4 = 20 \]
    • Finally, subtract \( 1 \): \[ 20 - 1 = 19 \]

Thus, the arrangement \( (5 + 4) \cdot 2 + 6 - 2 \cdot 2 - 1 \) indeed evaluates to \( 19 \).