The equation below is not correct. Which one change of a single sign will make it correct?
36 ÷ 4 + 5 × 2 – 7 = 26
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Change ‘–’ to ‘+’
Make each suggested change and work out the left side by BODMAS (÷ and × before + and –).
As given: \(36\div4+5\times2-7=9+10-7=12\), not 26
Option (2): 36 ÷ 4 + 5 × 2 + 7 \(=9+10+7=26\), which equals the right side
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) — Incorrect. 36 × 4 + 5 × 2 – 7 \(=144+10-7=\) 147.
Option (3) — Incorrect. 36 ÷ 4 × 5 × 2 – 7 \(=90-7=\) 83.
Option (4) — Incorrect. 36 ÷ 4 + 5 + 2 – 7 \(=9+5+2-7=\) 9.