Let’s solve each expression one by one. We’ll follow the order of operations: parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division (left to right), then addition and subtraction (left to right).
---
1. Expression A: 8 + 13(5 + 5)
First, do what’s inside the parentheses:
5 + 5 = 10
Now multiply:
13 × 10 = 130
Then add:
8 + 130 =
138
So, A = 138 → letter
A goes over
138
---
2. Expression E: 12 ÷ 3 + 10²
Exponent first:
10² = 100
Division next:
12 ÷ 3 = 4
Addition:
4 + 100 =
104
So, E = 104 → letter
E goes over
104
---
3. Expression L: 7 × 10³ – 500
Exponent first:
10³ = 1000
Multiply:
7 × 1000 = 7000
Subtract:
7000 – 500 =
6,500
So, L = 6,500 → letter
L goes over
6,500
---
4. Expression N: 92 – (36 ÷ 4 + 8)
Inside parentheses:
36 ÷ 4 = 9
9 + 8 = 17
Now subtract:
92 – 17 =
75
So, N = 75 → letter
N goes over
75
---
5. Expression C: 18.5 ÷ (20.8 – 15.8)
Parentheses first:
20.8 – 15.8 = 5.0
Divide:
18.5 ÷ 5.0 =
3.7
So, C = 3.7 → letter
C goes over
3.7
---
6. Expression D: ½ × (22 + 44 – 6)
Inside parentheses:
22 + 44 = 66
66 – 6 = 60
Multiply by ½:
½ × 60 =
30
So, D = 30 → letter
D goes over
30
---
Now let’s match all answers with their letters:
- 3.7 →
C
- 138 →
A
- 75 →
N
- 30 →
D
- 6,500 →
L
- 104 →
E
Write the letters in order above the numbers as shown in the table:
| | | | | | |
|-----|-----|-----|-----|-------|-----|
| 3.7 | 138 | 75 | 30 | 6,500 | 104 |
|
C |
A |
N |
D |
L |
E |
That spells:
CANDLE
And the riddle says:
“I’m quick when I’m thin and slow when I’m fat. I grow shorter as I grow older. The wind is my enemy.”
That describes a
candle!
Final Answer:
CANDLE
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of evaluating expressions.