David W. answered • 07/02/15
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According to PEMDAS, the expression inside parentheses is evaluated first, so, evaluate (3) as 3, then continue.
Next, according to PEMDAS, 6^2 is evaluated, so replace that with 36.
Now, you have 36/2*3 + 4 and you have to decide whether to divide first or multiply first. This is the real problem.
Since MD are on the same precedence level and AS are on the same precedence level, the rule is to perform them in left-to-right order. This means the expression becomes 18*3 + 4, then 54 +4, then 58.
This is different from 36/(2*3) + 4, which is 36/6 + 4, which is 6 + 4 = 10.
Thus, (3) means that 3 is multiplied by what is next to it, but is that 2 or is that 6^2/2 ? Parentheses would clarify that, but, without parentheses, the left-to-right-rule prevails.
David W.
Response to Kimberly: It is true that "the 2 and 3 should not be multiplied " because "the 18 and the 3 are multiplied."
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07/02/15
Kimberly K.
Oh OK Thanks again
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07/02/15
Jacob P.
Explain why the two and three should not be multiplied. Anything by a parenthesis is to be multiplied when there is no space. I've taken many advanced math classes and I am in college for a degree with a mathematics major. According to all of the rules I know, left to right may prevail, but multiplication is still first. With that being said, the two is on the other side of the division sign. Therefore it is an variable attached to the parentheses. It's just like the distributive multiplication you face when you get into calculus.
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08/26/16
Paul P.
Late answer but.....
If you follow PEMDAS as the gentleman above failed to do you will actually get the correct answer...which isn't 10.
6^2 ÷ 2(3) + 4
36 ÷ 2 * 3 + 4
18 * 3 + 4
54 + 4
58
The parenthesis around the 3 means absolutely nothing in this context other than it being multiplied by the term that proceeds it.
When you encounter parenthesis you need do what's INSIDE the parenthesis first. This is the mistake that the gentleman above mine made.
If you follow PEMDAS as the gentleman above failed to do you will actually get the correct answer...which isn't 10.
6^2 ÷ 2(3) + 4
36 ÷ 2 * 3 + 4
18 * 3 + 4
54 + 4
58
The parenthesis around the 3 means absolutely nothing in this context other than it being multiplied by the term that proceeds it.
When you encounter parenthesis you need do what's INSIDE the parenthesis first. This is the mistake that the gentleman above mine made.
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09/07/16
Kimberly K.
07/02/15