1. A student solves $(750 - 150) \div 25 + 10$ and gets 34. Another student gets 24. Which student is correct, and why?
- A.The first student (34), because you add 10 before dividing
- B.The second student (24), because you add 10 before dividing
- C.The first student (34), because parentheses are done first, then division, then addition
- D.The second student (24), because subtraction comes after division
View Answer
Answer: The first student (34), because parentheses are done first, then division, then addition
Apply order of operations: Parentheses first: $750 - 150 = 600$. Then division: $600 \div 25 = 24$. Then addition: $24 + 10 = 34$. Why the correct answer works: Option C correctly identifies that parentheses are evaluated first, then division, then addition, yielding 34. Why distractors fail: Option A names the correct student but gives wrong reasoning — addition does not come before division. Options B and D both claim 24, which omits the final addition step.