Question

Carlos evaluated 20 - (2x6) + 8 ÷4 and got 29. Is his answer correct? If not, explain what Carlos did wrong and find the correct answer.

Answer 1

20-(2x6) +8 divided by 4
2 times 6 = 12
8/4 = 2
20-12+2
It would be 14 not 29

He used PEMDAS in the wrong order

Answer 2

The given expression is

20 - (2x6) + 8 ÷4

We need to follow the rules of operations.

The first operation is to solve the parenthesis

So 2 × 6 = 12

So now we have

20 - 12 + 8 ÷ 4

The next operation is division

So 8 ÷ 4 = 2

The expression becomes

20 - 12 + 2

Now 20 -12 = 8

So we get

8 + 2 = 10

The correct answer is 10.

What Carlos did wrong can be explained if all the steps of Carlos are shown. But as the steps of Carlos are not there, it shall not be possible to explain what he did wrong.