Question
Greta says that the expression (2xa)+5 is the same as 2x(a+5). Is she correct?Why or why not?
Answers
Ms. Sue
(2xa)+5 = 2a + 5
2x(a+5) = 2a + 10
2x(a+5) = 2a + 10
Brooke
I don't understand.Can you please explain it to me?
Ms. Sue
I worked the problems just as you posted them. Obviously they have different answers.
Brooke
I'm just making sure that you knew I meant the x was multiplication.I don't understand why the a is not represented with a number.I was thinking that I would have to find what a equals.Thank you for helping me.
Ms. Sue
Yes, I know you meant x to mean multiplication. We use * for multiplication, though.
We can't find the value of a because you haven't presented any equations. There were no equal signs after your expressions.
We can't find the value of a because you haven't presented any equations. There were no equal signs after your expressions.
Brooke
Thank you.I didn't know * was multiplication.So, would I explain she is not correct because?I don't know how to answer the why part.I knew they would be different I just don't understand why.
Ms. Sue
She is not correct because the parentheses are placed differently in each problem.
Learn about the order of operations at this site.
http://www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html
Learn about the order of operations at this site.
http://www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html
Brooke
Thank you so much!
Ms. Sue
You're very welcome.