Question

Below are different ways students tried to start this problem. Which is correct?

(- 10) * (½) * (- 8)


A) (½) * - 8 = - ( - 8/16 )

B) (-10) * (½) = 5

C) -10 * (- 8) = 80

D) -8 * 2 = - 16

Answer 1

C) -10 * (- 8) = 80

Explanation:

(- 10) * (½) * (- 8)

Checking all the options

A) (½) * - 8 = - ( - 8/16 )

1/2 * - 8

= -8/2

= -4

(½) * - 8 = -4

(½) * - 8 = - ( - 8/16 ) Wrong

B) (-10) * (½) = 5

-10 * 1/2

= -10/2

= -5

(-10) * (½) = -5

(-10) * (½) = 5 Wrong

C) -10 * (- 8) = 80

-10 * (- 8)

= -10 × - 8

= + 80

-10 * (- 8) = 80 Correct

D) -8 * 2 = - 16

-8 * 2

= -16 correct but we don't have 2 in the expression so, it is wrong

The correct way to start solving the problem is C) -10 * (- 8) = 80

(- 10) * (½) * (- 8)

-10 * (- 8) = 80

80 * 1/2 = 80 / 2

= 40