Simplify the expression: 15.5 − [3 − {7 − (5 − (14.5 − 13.5))}].

Question

Accepted Answer

Step-by-step solution:

Given expression: 15.5 − [3 − {7 − (5 − (14.5 − 13.5))}]

1. Simplify innermost bracket: (14.5 − 13.5) = 1

Expression becomes: 15.5 − [3 − {7 − (5 − 1)}]

2. Simplify inside parentheses: (5 − 1) = 4

Expression becomes: 15.5 − [3 − {7 − 4}]

3. Simplify inside curly braces: (7 − 4) = 3

Expression becomes: 15.5 − [3 − 3]

4. Simplify inside square brackets: (3 − 3) = 0

Expression becomes: 15.5 − 0 = 15.5

Wait, this contradicts the initial answer options. Let's re-check carefully.

Re-examining step 4:
Inside square brackets: 3 − {7 − (5 − (14.5 − 13.5))}

We found {7 − (5 − 1)} = {7 − 4} = 3

So inside square brackets: 3 − 3 = 0

Therefore, 15.5 − 0 = 15.5

This matches option 1, not 3.

Double-checking the original expression:
15.5 − [3 − {7 − (5 − (14.5 − 13.5))}]

Calculate innermost:
14.5 − 13.5 = 1

Then:
5 − 1 = 4

Then:
7 − 4 = 3

Then:
3 − 3 = 0

Finally:
15.5 − 0 = 15.5

Hence, the correct answer is 15.5.

Therefore, option 1 is correct.

Answer

Answer

Answer