Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A student wrote these three formulas. Each one has a mistake in the brackets. Say what each one gives for the numbers shown, what it should give, and write the correct line.
The average of a, b and c should be 9.0. The part should be the sum of a and b divided by a. The half of the sum of a and b should be 7.5.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Plan. In each line, the division is done before the addition. The brackets that the student wanted are missing.
a + b + c / 3 works out c / 3 = 4.0 first, and then 6 + 9 + 4.0 = 19.0. Fix: (a + b + c) / 3 = 27 / 3 = 9.0.a + b / a works out b / a = 1.5 first, and then 6 + 1.5 = 7.5. Fix: (a + b) / a = 15 / 6 = 2.5.a + b / 2 works out 9 / 2 = 4.5 first, and then 6 + 4.5 = 10.5. Fix: (a + b) / 2 = 7.5.Check. Each fixed line gives the number that the question asked for: 9.0, 2.5 and 7.5.
Answer: Put the sum in brackets before you divide: (a + b + c) / 3, (a + b) / a and (a + b) / 2.
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