Final answer:
To simplify the expression 20 / (7-2)*3, first calculate the value inside the parentheses, then divide 20 by this value, and finally multiply by 3. The simplified result is 12.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks us to simplify the expression 20 / (7-2)*3 using PEMDAS, which is an acronym for the order of operations in mathematics: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication & Division (from left to right), and Addition & Subtraction (from left to right). The student must follow these steps to ensure the correct simplification of the expression.
First, we handle the parentheses: 7-2 equals 5. Next, we divide 20 by 5, which gives us 4. Finally, we multiply this result by 3 to get the simplified expression, which is 12. Throughout this process, we eliminate terms and simplify the algebra as necessary to achieve the final answer, and then we check to ensure the answer is reasonable. Therefore, 20 / (7-2) * 3 simplifies to 12.