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

1 Answer
Jul 17, 2016

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

Explanation:

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