Final answer:
The correct answer is option A, which produces the lowest total possible of the given choices. Calculating each expression following order of operations confirms that option A's result of -3/5 is the closest to an integer and is less than the others.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is option A. When looking to achieve the lowest total possible using the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and the operations +, -, x, and /, we must carefully apply the order of operations and the rules of arithmetic to each option provided.
Option A: (1 + 2) x (3 - 4) / 5 = 3 x (-1) / 5 = -3 / 5 (Since multiplying two numbers with opposite signs results in a negative product, and dividing by a positive number maintains the sign).
Option B: 1 - 2 x 3 + 4 / 5 = 1 - 6 + 0.8 = -4.2 (This does not result in an integer).
Option C: 1 + 2 x 3 - 4 / 5 = 1 + 6 - 0.8 = 6.2 (Again, this does not result in an integer).
Option D: (1 - 2) x (3 + 4) / 5 = -1 x 7 / 5 = -7 / 5 (This gives us a negative outcome, but not lower than the result from A).
Therefore, option A yields the lowest result, which is a fraction but closest to an integer, as the other options do not provide integer results.
To find the lowest total possible, we need to follow the order of operations: parentheses, multiplication and division (from left to right), and addition and subtraction (from left to right).
First, we solve the parentheses: (1 + 2) x (3 - 4) / 5 = 3 x (-1) / 5.
Next, we perform the multiplication and division: 3 x (-1) / 5 = -3/5.
Therefore, option A results in the lowest total possible.