If the operation * is defined by a*b = 1/ab then a*(b*c) equals...?

explain.

If the operation * is defined by a*b = 1/ab then a*(b*c) equals...?
a*(b*c)


= 1/a(b*c)


= 1/a(1/bc)


= 1/(a/bc)


= bc/a





alternatively


a*(b*c)


= a*(1/bc)


= 1/(a(1/bc))


= 1/(a/bc)


= bc/a





either way will do





the end


.
Reply:You will see questions such as this pop up on the SAT's and ACT's.





if a*b is 1/ab then a*(b*c) = a*(1/bc) = 1/(a)(1/bc) = 1/(a)/(bc)


If you think order of operations, division and multiplication are done together in order of left to right. So, you have in essence


(1/a) / bc


Multiply the top and bottom of the fraction by the same value and it will remain the same (because you are really just multiplying the whole thing by 1). So (1/a)(a) / abc would give you an end result of just 1/abc.