How do you simplify #5^2- 8 ÷ 2#?

1 Answer
Jul 11, 2015

If the question asked:

#5^2-8/2# then the answer is: #21#

If the question asked:

#(5^2-8)/2# then the answer is: #17/2=8.5#

Explanation:

1.) If the question were to ask us to find #5^2-8/2#, then

#5^2 = 25# and #8/2 = 4#

So,

#5^2-8/2=25-4=21#

2.) If the question were to ask us to find #(5^2-8)/2#, then

#(5^2-8)/2= (25-8)/2=17/2=8.5#