How do you evaluate the expression: #28 ÷ 2 ÷ 2 ÷ 2#?

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Answer 1 · 2016-07-17T10:19:30

#3 1/2# by a variety of methods, but take care!

As there is only one operation (all division) we work from left to right.

#28 div 2 div 2 div 2#

=# 14 div 2 div 2#

=#7 div 2#
= #3 1/2#

However, it is important to note that division is not commutative.

We also CANNOT do the following:

#28 div 2 div (2 div 2)#

This will give #14 div 1 = 14#

Dividing by a divide should make a multiplication!

= #28 div 2 div (2xx2) = 14 div 4 = 3 1/2#

We CAN do the following:

#28 div(2xx2xx2) =28 div8 = 3 1/2#

We could also write the expression as a fraction:

#28/(2 xx 2 xx 2) = 7/2 = 3 1/2#