The correct final expression is 8.95.
We already have,
Step 1 contains the first error:
1.7 + 14.5 ÷ 2
The error lies in the sequence of operations.
Multiplication and division should be performed before addition, according to the PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction) rule.
The addition (1.7 + 14.5) comes before the division by two in this phase.
The correct sequence of events would be:
1.7 + (14.5 ÷ 2)
The following is the outcome of doing the division first:
1.7 + 7.25
The addition is then completed successfully in Step 3:
1.7 + 7.25 = 8.95
Thus,
8.95 is the correct final phrase.
Complete question:
The expression below is evaluated as shown. In which step does the first mistake appear?
(23.8 +2+12) + 14.5+ 2
Step 1: (23.8÷14) +14.5 ÷ 2
Step 2: 1.7+14.5 ÷ 2
Step 3: 1.7+7.25
Step 4: 8.95
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