Use PEMDAS Parenthesis Exponents Multiplication Division (Left to Right) Addition Subtraction (Left to Right) <em>First evaluate the operations inside of the brackets</em> -8 + 2[5 + (-4 + 1)2] <em>evaluate (-4 +1) because it is surrounded by parenthesis</em> -8 + 2[2 + (-3)2]) <em>multiply (-3)2 </em>-8 + 2[2 - 6] <em>subtract 2 - 6 because it is surrounded by the brackets (parenthesis) </em>-8 + 2(-4) <em>multiply 2(-4)</em> <em>-8 - 8 -16</em>