Step by step
The question
Question: work out 7.2 ÷ 0.8 − 1.5.
7.2 ÷ 0.8 − 1.5
1 Times and divide
Dividing comes before minus.
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.
Order: ( ) → x² √ → × ÷ → + −
7.2 × 10 = 72
0.8 × 10 = 8
7.2 becomes 72.
0.8 becomes 8.
= 72 ÷ 8 − 1.5
72 divided by 8 is 9.
= 9 − 1.5
2 Plus and minus
Line up the decimal points.
We fill the gap with a 0.
A 0 at the end does not change the number.
9 minus 1.5 is 7.5.
= 7.5
So the answer is 7.5.
Let's look back.
First: times and divide.
Last: plus and minus.
Answer
= 7.5