Question

How do you simplify `[ (5+2) -3] 4`?

Answer 1

16

Explanation:

Consider `(5+2)`. The brackets are grouping these numbers separately from the rest. Thus they may be considered as 1 number that has been partitioned (split into parts). Logically we would combine them again before we do anything else giving:

`color(brown)([(color(blue)(5+2))-3]4 = [color(blue)(7)-3]4)`

Now we have another number that is partitioned. Work out the value inside the brackets
`color(brown)([color(blue)(7-3)]4 = [color(blue)(4)]4)`

But `[4]4` another way of saying `" "4xx4 =16`