Question

A student simplifies the given expression. Which statement BEST describes the error in the student's work? 12 + 24 ÷ 6(4) 36 ÷ 24 36/24 = 3/2
A) The student added before multiplying.
B) The student multiplied before dividing.
C) The student divided before multiplying.
D) The student simplified the answer incorrectly.
E) The student added incorrectly.

Answer 1

A. The student added before multiplying.
If they had multiplied 6 and 4 first, the next step would have been too divide. But since they added first, they got 36/24 or 3/2 when the answer should be 13.