Step by step
The question
Question: work out (4.2 − 1.7) ÷ 0.5.
(4.2 − 1.7) ÷ 0.5
1 Brackets first
Brackets come first.
Order: ( ) → x² √ → × ÷ → + −
Line up the decimal points.
4.2 minus 1.7 is 2.5.
= 2.5 ÷ 0.5
2 Times and divide
Dividing by a decimal is hard.
We move the point 1 place to the right in both numbers.
That is times 10 for both, so the answer stays the same.
2.5 × 10 = 25
0.5 × 10 = 5
2.5 becomes 25.
0.5 becomes 5.
= 25 ÷ 5
25 divided by 5 is 5.
= 5
So the answer is 5.
Let's look back.
First: brackets first.
Last: times and divide.
Answer
= 5