Use the order of operations

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 28 views

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Introduction

In this article, we will be calculating the expression $7.2 \times 12 \times 0.23$ and rounding the result to the nearest hundredth. This involves understanding the order of operations and performing multiplication.

Understanding the Order of Operations

The order of operations is a set of rules that dictate the order in which mathematical operations should be performed when there are multiple operations in an expression. The acronym PEMDAS is commonly used to remember the order of operations:

Parentheses: Evaluate expressions inside parentheses first.
Exponents: Evaluate any exponential expressions next.
Multiplication and Division: Evaluate multiplication and division operations from left to right.
Addition and Subtraction: Finally, evaluate any addition and subtraction operations from left to right.

In the given expression, there are no parentheses, exponents, or division operations. Therefore, we will perform the multiplication operations first.

Performing Multiplication

To calculate the expression $7.2 \times 12 \times 0.23$ , we will perform the multiplication operations in the order they appear.

Step 1: Multiply 7.2 and 12

First, we will multiply 7.2 and 12:

7.2 \times 12 = 86.4

Step 2: Multiply 86.4 and 0.23

Next, we will multiply 86.4 and 0.23:

86.4 \times 0.23 = 19.872

Rounding to the Nearest Hundredth

The result of the multiplication is 19.872. To round this to the nearest hundredth, we will look at the digit in the thousandths place, which is 2. Since 2 is less than 5, we will round down to 19.87.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the result of the expression $7.2 \times 12 \times 0.23$ rounded to the nearest hundredth is 19.87.

Answer

The correct answer is C. 19.87.

Discussion

This problem requires the application of the order of operations and multiplication. It also requires the ability to round numbers to the nearest hundredth. In real-world applications, this type of calculation may be used in finance, science, or engineering to calculate quantities such as cost, area, or volume.

Example Use Cases

Finance: A company may use this type of calculation to determine the cost of a product or service.
Science: A scientist may use this type of calculation to determine the volume of a substance or the area of a surface.
Engineering: An engineer may use this type of calculation to determine the stress on a material or the force required to move an object.

Tips and Tricks

Use the order of operations: When faced with an expression that contains multiple operations, use the order of operations to determine the order in which to perform the operations.
Perform multiplication and division from left to right: When performing multiplication and division operations, perform them from left to right.
Round numbers carefully: When rounding numbers, make sure to look at the digit in the next place value to determine whether to round up or down.

Introduction

In our previous article, we calculated the expression $7.2 \times 12 \times 0.23$ and rounded the result to the nearest hundredth. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions related to the calculation.

Q&A

Q: What is the order of operations?

A: The order of operations is a set of rules that dictate the order in which mathematical operations should be performed when there are multiple operations in an expression. The acronym PEMDAS is commonly used to remember the order of operations:

Parentheses: Evaluate expressions inside parentheses first.
Exponents: Evaluate any exponential expressions next.
Multiplication and Division: Evaluate multiplication and division operations from left to right.
Addition and Subtraction: Finally, evaluate any addition and subtraction operations from left to right.

Q: Why is it important to follow the order of operations?

A: Following the order of operations is crucial for performing mathematical operations correctly. If the order of operations is not followed, the result of the calculation may be incorrect.

Q: How do I perform multiplication and division operations?

A: When performing multiplication and division operations, perform them from left to right. For example, in the expression $7.2 \times 12 \times 0.23$ , we first multiply 7.2 and 12, and then multiply the result by 0.23.

Q: How do I round numbers to the nearest hundredth?

A: To round a number to the nearest hundredth, look at the digit in the thousandths place. If the digit is 5 or greater, round up. If the digit is less than 5, round down.

Q: What is the result of the expression $7.2 \times 12 \times 0.23$ ?

A: The result of the expression $7.2 \times 12 \times 0.23$ is 19.87.

Q: Why is the result 19.87 and not 19.88?

A: The result is 19.87 because the digit in the thousandths place is 2, which is less than 5. Therefore, we round down to 19.87.

Q: What are some real-world applications of this type of calculation?

A: This type of calculation may be used in finance, science, or engineering to calculate quantities such as cost, area, or volume.

Tips and Tricks

Use the order of operations: When faced with an expression that contains multiple operations, use the order of operations to determine the order in which to perform the operations.
Perform multiplication and division from left to right: When performing multiplication and division operations, perform them from left to right.
Round numbers carefully: When rounding numbers, make sure to look at the digit in the next place value to determine whether to round up or down.

Conclusion

In conclusion, calculating the expression $7.2 \times 12 \times 0.23$ and rounding the result to the nearest hundredth requires a good understanding of the order of operations, multiplication, and rounding numbers. By following the order of operations and performing multiplication and division operations from left to right, we can ensure that our calculations are accurate and reliable.