How do you use symbols to make the statement 71_5_9_2_2 = 61 true?

Question

1544 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2016-02-28T10:59:21

$71-5-9+2xx2 = 61$

or simply:

$71-5-9+2+2 = 61$

Multiplication takes precedence over addition or subtraction.

Once you are left with a sequence of additions and subtractions, work from left to right.

$71-5-9+underbrace(2xx2)_xx$

$=underbrace(71-5)_(-)-9+4$

$=underbrace(66-9)_(-)+4$

$=underbrace(57+4)_(+)$

$=61$

Or:

$=underbrace(71-5)_(-)-9+2+2$

$=underbrace(66-9)_(-)+2+2$

$=underbrace(57+2)_(+)+2$

$=underbrace(59+2)_(+)$

$=61$