Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Basic Math Placement Practice Test

How should you approach solving problems like 5 - 2(1/3)?

1. Perform operations from left to right

2. Rewrite the whole numbers and separate terms

3. Multiply 2 by 1 and subtract

4. Set up the problem as a fraction

The correct answer is: Rewrite the whole numbers and separate terms

The correct approach to solving the expression \(5 - 2(1/3)\) involves understanding how to properly handle the order of operations, and choosing to rewrite the whole numbers and separate terms can be helpful in this context. This method allows you to clarify each component of the problem, making it easier to visualize and correct any potential mistakes as you perform subsequent calculations. By separating the terms, you can clearly identify the distinct parts of the expression: the whole number \(5\), the multiplication \(2 \times \frac{1}{3}\), and the subtraction that combines them. This organization helps you maintain accuracy throughout the operations. Once you have rewritten the expression in a clearer form, you can follow the order of operations, where multiplication occurs before subtraction. You would calculate \(2 \times \frac{1}{3} = \frac{2}{3}\) first, and then proceed with the subtraction from \(5\). This structured approach prevents confusion and ensures you correctly apply mathematical principles. In this scenario, effectively managing how the terms are represented and understood is paramount to solving the problem correctly.