JAMB 2004 · UME · Q21

If the operation $*$ on the set of integers is defined by $p * q = \sqrt{pq}$ , find the value of $4 * (8 * 32)$ .

Worked solution (try it first)

Work out the bracket first: $8 * 32 = \sqrt{8 \times 32}$
$= \sqrt{256}$
$= 16$ .
Then $4 * 16 = \sqrt{4 \times 16}$
$= \sqrt{64}$
$= 8$ , option B.