What is the value of the following expression? 8.4 - 2.4 \times 1.5 + 4.5 \div 0.5 — Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

What is the value of the following expression?

8.4 - 2.4 \times 1.5 + 4.5 \div 0.5

13.8

Applying the order of operations correctly requires first evaluating the multiplication (

2.4 \times 1.5 = 3.6

) and the division (

4.5 \div 0.5 = 9

). Substituting these values back simplifies the equation to

8.4 - 3.6 + 9

. Processing the remaining subtraction and addition from left to right yields

4.8 + 9 = 13.8

Evaluate the multiplication part of the expression.

2.4 \times 1.5 = 3.6

According to the order of operations, multiplication must be performed before addition or subtraction.

Evaluate the division part of the expression.

4.5 \div 0.5 = 9

Division shares the same precedence as multiplication and must also be evaluated before addition and subtraction.

Substitute the results back into the original expression.

8.4 - 3.6 + 9

This simplifies the expression so that only addition and subtraction remain.

Evaluate the remaining addition and subtraction from left to right.

8.4 - 3.6 = 4.8

, and

4.8 + 9 = 13.8

Addition and subtraction have equal precedence and are solved strictly from left to right.

Order of Operations with Decimals

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