Question

Write a real-world problem that could be represented by the expression 3(23). Then explain how you could solve the problem mentally.

Answer 1

3(23) really means 3*23, or just 3 multiplied by 23.  For example: "Jana has 23 dollars.  Her friend John has $23, and his friend Jacob also has 23 dollars.  How much money do they have all together?"  To solve this problem mentally, you could break 3*23 into two numbers you're familiar with multiplying, like 20 and 3, and then add the numbers together.  For example: 3*20 + 3*3.  3*20=60, 3*3=9, and 60+9=69.  So, 3*23=69.