What does the little 2 on the right mean

Question

This is a math question

please help me figure out how to solve this problem please

(3+5)² X 2 - 13 =

what is that little 2 about ?

Answer 1

Hi Vi,

The little two on the right is an exponent. An exponent requires you to square the given number. To "square" a number is to multiply a number by itself. For example,

1² = 1

2² = 4

3² = 9

and so on.

This equation must be solved using Order of Operations. An easy way to remember this is PEMDAS or Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally. This order corresponds to the way you should solve an equation with multiple operations.

Please - Parenthesis

Excuse - Exponents

My - Multiplication

Dear - Division

Aunt - Addition

Sally - Subtraction

(3+5)² X 2 - 13

First step: Solve equations inside the parenthesis

(3+5)² X 2 - 13 = (8)² X 2 - 13

Second step: Solve the exponents.

(8)² X 2 - 13 = 64 X 2 -13

Third step: Solve for multiplication.

64 X 2 -13 = 128-13

Fourth step: Solve for subtraction.

128-13 = 115