Question

Given the functions multiply(u, v) that returns u * v, and add(u, v) that returns u + v, which expression corresponds to: add(multiply(x, add(y, z)), w)?

Answer 1

The expression add(multiply(x, add(y, z)), w) is solved by evaluating the inner add function, then applying the multiply function to the result and x, and finally adding w using the add function.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question involves composing two mathematical functions, multiply and add, within a single expression. To solve the given expression add(multiply(x, add(y, z)), w), we start by evaluating the innermost function. First, we use the add function to find the sum of y and z, and then we use the multiply function to multiply this result by x. Finally, we add the value of w using the add function again, which gives us the final result. The answer relies on basic rules of arithmetic operations and function composition.

For instance, if y = 2, z = 3, and w = 5, we first find add(y, z) which is 2 + 3 = 5. We then compute multiply(x, add(y, z)) which becomes x * 5. If x equals 4, for example, it would be 4 * 5 = 20. Lastly, we have add(multiply(x, add(y, z)), w) leading to 20 + 5, which equals 25.