Question

What is `38-8+2(9+3)-:6`?

Answer 1

`34`

Explanation:

In addition to using the idea of PEDMAS, BODMAS or whatever form you prefer, the MOST important aspect is to COUNT the number of TERMS first.
Within each term, apply the order of operations:
Brackets first
, then the strongest operations - powers and roots
Then mulitplication and division

Each term stays separate and simplifies to a single answer.
These answers are then added or subtracted in the last line.

`color(blue)(38)color(olive)(-8)+2(color(red)(9+3))div6" "larr` there are 3 terms, but the first two are already in the simplest form. The red shows the next calculation to be done.

`color(blue)(38)color(olive)(-8)+color(red)(2xx12)div6`

`color(blue)(38)color(olive)(-8)+color(red)(24div6`

`color(blue)(38)color(olive)(-8)+color(red)(4) " "larr` a common error is to add (8+4) first!
Work from left to right.

If there are many terms, it is probably easier to arrange the terms with the adds at the beginning and the subtracts at the end.

`color(blue)38+color(red)(4)color(olive)(-8)`

=`34`