Tom and Sonya were comparing their answers on a math problem. It was an order of operations problem, and they each had a differe
nt answer. Tom had an answer of 11, and Sonya had an answer of 104. Which student correctly solved the order of operations problem given by the teacher? (5^2 +6)–(7•4)+8
When we compute these problems, we must do it in this order. Therefore, when we do this problem, we start within the parentheses.
<span>(5^2 +6)–(7•4)+8
Inside the parentheses, we have an exponent. Since it's second, we compute it first.
</span><span>(25 +6)–(7•4)+8
Next, we can simplify the multiplication problem in the other set of parentheses.
</span>(25 +6)–(28)+8
Simplify first parentheses:
31 - 28 + 8
Subtract
3 + 8 =
11
Notice how we subtracted first. That's because when we do PEMDAS, addition, and subtraction, along with multiplication and division, are on the same level- so you can do them in any order. This doesn't go for anything else though unless it's obviously commutative.
