Question

How do you evaluate `2- 6( - 4( 2- 5) - 5( 5- 2) )`?

Answer 1

`=20`

Explanation:

Count the number of terms first. There are two.

`color(blue)(2)" "color(red)(-" "6( - 4( 2- 5) - 5( 5- 2)))`

The first term is already in its simplest form and will be carried down while we simplify the second term step by step.

Identify the inner brackets and start by simplifying them.

`=color(blue)(2)" "-" "6( - 4( color(green)(2- 5)) - 5( color(green)(5- 2)))`
`color(white)(wwwwwwwwwwwww)darrcolor(white)(xxxxxxx)darr`
`=color(blue)(2)" "-" "6( - 4( color(green)(-3))" " - " "5(color(green)(3)))`

Multiply to get rid of the inner brackets.

`=color(blue)(2)" "-" "6( color(green)(+12)" " - " "color(green)(15))`

Simplify inside the brackets.

`=color(blue)(2)" "-" "6(color(green)(-3))`

Multiply to get rid of the brackets.

`=color(blue)(2)" "+" "color(red)(18)`

Now add the two terms:

`=20`