How do you know the correct order in which to evaluate algebraic expressions?

Question

Rfgfryvsdgcetgdgbxefbdegbdeyvdry

Answer 1

Order of operations is the thing that tells you the order.  Parentheses and groupings, then exponents.  Next is multiplication and division, left to right, then addition and subtraction, left to right.

I will assume that you are tying to simplify an algebraic expression.  So let's look at one:

(x+1)^2+3(2x-3+4x) -2(x-2)^2 +x-27/3

 

In parentheses, there is nothing to be done in (x+1) or the third set(x+2)  I can simplify the second set by adding 2x and 4x to get 6x.  So now it looks like 

((x+1)^2+3(6x-3) -2(x-2)^2 +x-27/3

 

Next do exponents.  (x+1)^2 is (x+1) (x+1) = x^2 +2x+1  and (x-2)(x-2)=x^2 -4x + 4 

x^2 +2x +1 +3(6x-3) -2(x^2 -4x +4) +x-27/3

 

Multiplicaton and division  distribute the 3 and the -2 over their groupings and divide -27 by 3 to get

x^2 +2x +1 + 18x -9 -2x^2 +8x -8 +x -9   

 

Now it's all add and subtract, including combining like terms.

-x^2 +25x -27

 

Just breathe, and keep working!

 

Mary