How do you simplify -2+3(-5*2-6/3) using PEMDAS?

1 Answer
Oct 5, 2016

-38

Explanation:

Rather thanblindly following PEDMAS, BODMAS or whatever form you know .... work with TERMS.
Do Brackets first, then from strongest to weakest operations

There are 2 terms. Work out each separately.

Inside the bracket there are 2 terms. Work out each separately.

color(lime)(-2)+3(color(red)(-5xx2)-color(blue)(6/3))

=color(lime)(-2)+3(color(red)(-10)-color(blue)(2))" "larrwork out terms inside the bracket

=color(lime)(-2)+color(magenta)(3xx(-12))" "larr now multiply

=color(lime)(-2)color(magenta)(-36)" "larr add or subtract happens last.

-38

Note that the -2 term was in its simplest form and was not used at all until the last line.