Question

Hi! So, I know I got this answer wrong, but I wasn't sure how to solve an equation with signs like: [brackets] in it, I've included my problem as an example, but can someone please teach me what those brackets mean, and how do I go about solving an equation (using this problem as an example) with brackets like these?

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Brackets is the bigger version of parentheses, you first solve the questions inside the parentheses, then move onto brackets.

For example, this question:

$x=-1\\y=-2\\z=3$

$5x-y[7-4(z-y)]$

plug in x, y, and z.

$5(-1)-(-2)[7-4(3-(-2))]$
$5(-1)-(-2)[7-4(5)]$

$5(-1)-(-2)[7-20]$

$5(-1)-(-2)[-13]$

$-5-(-2)[-13]$

$-5-26$

$-31$

I hope you understand better now.