Solve the Arithmetic Puzzle: a×b×8c : (2a : (72b×c))

Complex Division with Nested Operations

ab8c:(2a:(72bc))=? a\cdot b\cdot8c:(2a:(72b\cdot c))=\text{?}

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve
00:09 Let's write division as a fraction
00:18 Division is also multiplication by the reciprocal
00:30 Let's reduce what we can
00:37 Let's factor 8 into factors 2 and 4
00:47 Let's reduce what we can
00:57 Use the distribution law and split 72 into 70 plus 2
01:10 Open parentheses properly
01:13 The outer factor will multiply each term in parentheses
01:26 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

ab8c:(2a:(72bc))=? a\cdot b\cdot8c:(2a:(72b\cdot c))=\text{?}

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve the problem, follow these detailed steps:

  • Step 1: Simplify the innermost expression:
    Calculate 2a:(72bc) 2a : (72b \cdot c) . This equates to dividing 2a 2a by 72bc 72b \cdot c :
    2a:(72bc)=2a72bc 2a : (72b \cdot c) = \frac{2a}{72b \cdot c}
  • Step 2: Simplification
    =2a72bc=2a72bc=a36bc = \frac{2a}{72b \cdot c} = \frac{2a}{72bc} = \frac{a}{36bc}
  • Step 3: Complete the outer expression:
    Now, substitute this back into the outer expression:
    ab8c:(a36bc) a \cdot b \cdot 8c : \left(\frac{a}{36bc}\right)
  • Step 4: Simplify this result:
    This means multiplying ab8c a \cdot b \cdot 8c by the reciprocal of a36bc\frac{a}{36bc}):
    =ab8c36bca = a \cdot b \cdot 8c \cdot \frac{36bc}{a}
  • Step 5: Cancel and compute:
    Notice a a cancels out:
    =b8c36bc = b \cdot 8c \cdot 36bc
  • Step 6: Final simplification:
    =836b2c2 = 8 \cdot 36 \cdot b^2 \cdot c^2
    =288b2c2 = 288b^2c^2

Therefore, the solution to the given expression is 288b2c2 288b^2c^2 , which corresponds to choice ID 4.

3

Final Answer

288b2c2 288b^2c^2

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Order: Always work from innermost parentheses outward first
  • Division notation: a:b means a÷b = ab \frac{a}{b}
  • Check: Variables should cancel appropriately leaving 288b2c2 288b^2c^2

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Solving left to right instead of innermost first
    Don't solve ab8c:2a a \cdot b \cdot 8c : 2a first = wrong grouping! This ignores the nested parentheses structure. Always start with the innermost expression 72bc 72b \cdot c and work outward.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

\( 100-(5+55)= \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

What does the colon (:) symbol mean in this expression?

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The colon (:) represents division! So a:b a:b means a÷b=ab a \div b = \frac{a}{b} . It's commonly used in European math notation.

Why do we start with the innermost parentheses first?

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Following the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS), we must solve expressions inside parentheses first. The innermost ones come before outer ones, just like nested Russian dolls!

How do I know when variables cancel out?

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Variables cancel when they appear in both the numerator and denominator. In our problem, the a a in the numerator cancels with the a a in the denominator.

What if I get a different final answer?

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Double-check your order of operations! Most errors come from not working inside-out with the parentheses. Remember: 2a:(72bc)=2a72bc 2a:(72bc) = \frac{2a}{72bc} first.

Why is the final answer in terms of b and c only?

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The variable a a cancels out during our calculations! This happens because a a appears once in the numerator and once in the denominator, leaving us with only b2 b^2 and c2 c^2 terms.

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