Question

How do you use PEMDAS to simplify `4(9-6)^2`?

Answer 1

`4(9-6)^2=36`

Explanation:

Parentheses: Before anything, we evaluate expressions within parentheses.

`4color(red)((9-6))^2`

Inside the parentheses there is only one operation, and so we can evaluate that part directly without worrying about PEMDAS.

`4color(red)((3))^2`

Exponents: Next, apply any exponents. Be careful to only apply the exponent to its base.

`4*color(red)((3)^2)`

In this case, the base is `3`

`4*color(red)(9)`

Multiplication: Next, perform any multiplication. This can include the division step, as dividing by `x` is the same as multiplying by `1/x`.

`color(red)(4*9)`

Multiplication is all that remains, so we evaluate it to get the final result

`color(red)(36)`

Addition and subtraction would follow, however they do not occur in the given expression. Note that as with multiplication and division, subtraction may be performed together with addition, as subtracting `x` is the same as adding `-x`.