How do you simplify #(- 7) - [ ( - 12) \div ( - 6) ] ^ { 2} \cdot ( - 4)#?

1 Answer
EZ as pi
Nov 16, 2016

#9#

Explanation:

In any calculation involving mixed operations, always count the number of terms FIRST. Each term will simplify to a single answer and they can be added or subtracted in the last line.

Within each term, the order of operations is:
Brackets first, then powers and roots, then multiply and divide.

#color(red)((-7)) - [color(blue)((-12)div(-6))]^2 xx (-4)" "larr # there are 2 terms

=#color(red)(-7) - color(blue)((2)^2) xx (-4)#

=#color(red)(-7) - color(blue)((4) xx (-4)#

=#color(red)(-7) color(blue)(+16)#

=#9#

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