Pre-Algebra : Operations and Properties

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Pre-Algebra

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Order Of Operations

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to solve this problem, one must follow the mathematical order of operations. The correct order of mathematical operations consists of the following pattern: parenthesis, exponents, multiplication and division, and finally, addition and subtraction. One should work beginning with the innermost nested parentheses and complete the correct operations from left to right.

Remember, subtracting a negative is the same as adding a positive number, and adding a negative is like subtracting a positive.

Example Question #31 : Operations

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Follow the order of operations: parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. Work from left to right, and start with the innermost nested operations when dealing with multiple parentheses:

Example Question #32 : Order Of Operations

Solve for  in the equation.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

You must follow the order of operations to solve this problem correctly. The two operations in this question are multiplication and subtraction. Multiplication and division come before addition and subtraction in the order of operations, so you work this operation first. You divide both sides of the equation by

Addition and subtraction comes next in the order of operations, so you add after you multiply. You add  to both sides of the equation:

The correct answer to the question is .

Example Question #32 : Operations

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

(3+2)=5 is the first operation because parentheses is the first step in order of operations. 5 is then squared because exponents are the second operation. Finally 4 is added to 25, leaving the answer as 29. 

Example Question #33 : Operations

Simplify.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The 3 is first distributed to (x-4) because multiplication comes before addition in order of operations. This leaves us with 3x-12+6. when the -12 and 6 are added we are left with 3x-6

Example Question #34 : Operations

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The first step is adding 4+6 because parentheses are first in order of operations. Next that answer (10) is multiplied by 3, because multiplication comes before addition, giving us 30. Finally the 2 is added, leaving us with the answer 32.

Example Question #35 : Operations

What is the first step in solving the following expression? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The first step in order of operations is parentheses, so (4-1) is the first step to solve the equation. 

Example Question #36 : Operations

Solve:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The steps when following order of operations are the following:

   AND    

Example Question #37 : Operations

Solve using Order of Operations:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The parentheses must be solved before the division because of order of operations. 4+3=7. Then that is divided by 7, leaving us with 1. 

Example Question #38 : Operations

Evaluate.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When doing multiple operations, always remember PEMDAS. There is multiplication and subtraction. M comes first and is the multiplication so we do that first followed by subtraction. So we have 

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