# How do you simplify 1-7-(2*2 ) + 6*2?

Apr 24, 2015

The problem here is to get the proper order of operations.
A mnemonic: PEDMAS, which should probably be written PE(DM)(AS), is often offered as a way to remember the order.

1. Anything inside Parentheses
2.Exponentiation
3.Division and Multiplication
When multiple operation are at the same level, the order is from left to right

$1 - 7 - \left(2 \cdot 2\right) + 6 \cdot 2$

Evaluate contents of parentheses
$= 1 - 7 - 4 + 6 \cdot 2$

There are no Exponents,
so go on to Division and Multiplication
(there is only one)
$= 1 - 7 - 4 + 12$

We are only left with Addition and Subtraction
which are operations at the same level so they are performed
from Left to Right
$= \left(- 6\right) - 4 + 12$

$= \left(- 10\right) + 12$

$= 2$

Aug 1, 2016

$2$

#### Explanation:

Count the number of terms. Each term must simplify to give a single answer which will be added or subtracted in the LAST line.

$\textcolor{red}{1} \textcolor{b l u e}{- 7} \textcolor{m a \ge n t a}{- \left(2 \times 2\right)} \textcolor{g r e e n}{+ 6 \times 2} \text{ there are 4 terms}$

=$\textcolor{red}{1} \textcolor{b l u e}{- 7} \textcolor{m a \ge n t a}{- 4} \textcolor{g r e e n}{+ 12}$

It is probably easier to re-arrange the terms with the additions first

=$\textcolor{red}{1} \textcolor{g r e e n}{+ 12} \textcolor{b l u e}{- 7} \textcolor{m a \ge n t a}{- 4}$

=$2$