Order of Operations

Parentheses Exponents Multiplication Division Addition Subtraction

Parentheses can mean any of the following:( ), [ ], or { } Even though we say addition before

subtraction, they are equals. For example, let’s simplify the following: 8 – 6 + 2. Because subtraction comes first, I do 8-6, which is 2. Then I do 2 + 2, which is 4.

The same idea applies to multiplication and division.

= 3 + 16 – 8= 19 – 8= 11

= 36 + 7 – 21= 43 – 21= 22

= 5p + (-8p)(6) + 4p= 5p + (-48p) + 4p= -43p + 4p= -39p

= -4y(2) + 15y= -8y + 15y= 7y

**Notice that the variable is in the answer!!!

The population of purple zebras is currently 200,000, but is decreasing at a rate of 6% each year. Use P = 200000(0.94)t, where P is population and t is time in years, to predict the number of purple zebras left after 25 years.

Do: P = 200000(0.94)25

(I would use my calculator, and round to the nearest whole number)

There will be approximately 42,582 purple zebras.

Yadier has a checking account. He started off with $35, and adds $20 each week. If

m = 35 + 20w represents the amount of money, m, in the account after w weeks, find the amount Yadier has after 10 weeks.

Do: m = 35 + 20(10) = 35 + 200 = 235

Yadier has $235 after 10 weeks.