To determine which operator can be inserted to make the statement true, we need to evaluate both expressions:
Left-hand side: \[ -6 + 3 \cdot 5 \] Calculating it step-by-step:
- Calculate \(3 \cdot 5 = 15\)
- Then, \(-6 + 15 = 9\)
So, the left-hand side evaluates to 9.
Right-hand side: \[ 16 - \sqrt{16} + \frac{32}{8} \] Calculating it step-by-step:
- Calculate \(\sqrt{16} = 4\)
- Calculate \(\frac{32}{8} = 4\)
- Substitute these values into the expression: \[ 16 - 4 + 4 \]
- First, \(16 - 4 = 12\)
- Then, \(12 + 4 = 16\)
So, the right-hand side evaluates to 16.
Now we can compare the two sides:
- Left-hand side: 9
- Right-hand side: 16
Since \(9 < 16\), the correct operator to insert is:
\(<\) (less than)
Thus, the answer is: < (less than).