Question

To evaluate the expression “10 minus the sum of 2 and 3,” should you subtract or add first? Explain how you know.

Answer 1

You will add 2 and 3 first.

Explanation:

How you know this is based off the question. So it says 10 minus the sum of 2 and 3. Since it says sum you will add those first then minus.

Answer 2

We need to add first.

Explanation:

The given description of the expression is “10 minus the sum of 2 and 3”.

Using the description, we get

Sum of 2 and 3 = (2+3)

10 minus the sum of 2 and 3 = 10-(2+3)

The given expression is

`10-(2+3)`

Since the sum of 2 and 3 is subtracted from 10, therefore first we have to add 2 and 3 then we need to subtract the resulted number from 10.

`10-(5)`

`5`

The value of given expression is 5.

If we subtract first, then the final will be different.

`(10-2)+3=8+3=11\\eq 5`

Hence, we need to add first.