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Simplify the following expression:

$$q=\frac { z+9 }{ 5 } +10$$

this is what I got:

$$q=\frac { z+9 }{ 5 } +\frac { 50 }{ 5 } $$ $$ q=\frac { z+9+50 }{ 5 } $$

This answer is wrong: $$q=\frac { z+59 }{ 5 } $$

Cherry_Developer
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    $\frac{z}{5}+11\frac{4}{5}$ – Vikram Aug 20 '14 at 14:20
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    It's algebraically correct. The only ambiguity is what they mean by "simplify". They might expect an answer like $q = \frac 15 (z+59)$ or even $q = \frac 15 z + 11\frac 45$. Frankly, I would consider marking you wrong to be extreme nitpicking. – Deepak Aug 20 '14 at 14:20
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    All the steps are correct; the "answer" however depends on what the instructor believes "simplified" means. – vadim123 Aug 20 '14 at 14:20
  • $\frac{z}{5}+11+\frac{4}{5}$ OR $\frac{z+4}{5}+11$, different ways of expressing same quantity – Vikram Aug 20 '14 at 14:27
  • Whoever asks you the question should absolutely be required to tell you what form the answer should have. There is no single "simplification", the term is very application specific. Heck, in many engineering scenarios I know of, grade school style "simplifications" are actually counterproductive. So you should bash your instructor, deservedly so. It's this sort of ambiguity and smugness of instructors that should be vanquished at all costs. It's not conducive to learning. Using the term "wrong answer" here is very unprofessional. – Kuba hasn't forgotten Monica Aug 20 '14 at 22:06

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$$q=\frac{z+9}{5}+\frac{50}{5}=\frac{z+9+50}{5}=\frac{z+59}{5}$$

It is correct..

evinda
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