How can you simplify an expression like this one?
It's important to follow the order of operations! Otherwise, you might get the wrong answer. The order of operations tells you which steps to do first.
- Perform operations inside
parentheses.
- Evaluate
- Multiply and divide from left to right.
- Add and subtract from left to right.
The steps below show how to simplify an expression using the order of operations.
1. Perform operations inside parentheses.
2. Evaluate exponents.
3. Multiply and divide from left to right. Start with since it's farther left. 4. Add and subtract from left to right. Start with since it's farther left. Almost there!
