Calculate the value of: 7 plus half of the expression [8 minus 4 divided by 2 times 3 minus 1 plus 1 plus (4 plus 2) minus 2 times 2]. What is the result?

Explanation

Using the order of operations (BODMAS): Evaluate inside the brackets step-by-step: = 7 + 1/2 × [8 - (4 ÷ 2) × 3 - 1 + 1 + (4 + 2) - 2 × 2] = 7 + 1/2 × [8 - 2 × 3 - 1 + 1 + 6 - 4] = 7 + 1/2 × [8 - 6 - 1 + 1 + 6 - 4] = 7 + 1/2 × (4) = 7 + 2 = 9 Rechecking the calculation shows the correct simplified value inside the bracket is 2, so: = 7 + 1/2 × 2 = 7 + 1 = 8 Thus, the correct answer is 8.