Solve the Nested Division Problem: 75:(8:(4:15))

Question

75:(8:(4:15))=? 75:(8:(4:15))=\text{?}

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solve
00:03 Always solve parentheses first, the rule also applies within parentheses
00:06 Let's start with the "innermost" parentheses
00:09 Write division as a fraction
00:12 Division is also multiplication by the reciprocal
00:26 Move the multiplication to the numerator
00:31 Division is also multiplication by the reciprocal
00:40 Move the multiplication to the numerator
00:44 Break down 75 into factors 15 and 5
00:52 Break down 8 into factors 4 and 2
00:59 Simplify what we can
01:06 Break down 5 into 4 plus 1
01:10 Break down the fraction into a whole number and remainder
01:15 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

First, we rewrite the multiplication exercise within the inner parentheses as a fraction:

75:(8:415)= 75:(8:\frac{4}{15})=

Now we invert the fraction to create a multiplication exercise:

75:(8×154)= 75:(8\times\frac{15}{4})=

We add the 8 to the numerator of the fraction in the multiplication exercise:

75:8×154= 75:\frac{8\times15}{4}=

Now we invert the fraction to create a multiplication exercise:

75×48×15= 75\times\frac{4}{8\times15}=

We add the 75 to the numerator of the fraction in the multiplication exercise:

75×48×15= \frac{75\times4}{8\times15}=

We break down the 75 and the 8 into smaller multiplication exercises:

15×5×44×2×15= \frac{15\times5\times4}{4\times2\times15}=

We simplify the 4 and the 15 in the numerator and denominator:

52=212 \frac{5}{2}=2\frac{1}{2}

Answer

212 2\frac{1}{2}