How do you simplify #(6^{2}-2^{2})\div (4^{1}-1^{2}+1)\times (8+10)#?

1 Answer
Dec 2, 2016

Use order of operations to get #144#.

Explanation:

#(6^2-2^2)-:(4^1-1^1+1)xx(8+10)#

This is an order of operations problem. The order of operations is:

Parentheses (do the work inside the parentheses first)
Exponents
Multiplication/Division (these are "tied", do these left to right)
Addition/Subtraction (also "tied", do left to right)

In our problem, first do the work inside the parentheses, starting with the exponents.

#(36-4)-:(4-1+1)xx(8+10)#

Finish the work inside the parentheses.

#32-:4xx18#

Next do the multiplication and division from left to right.

#8xx18#

#144#