SOLUTION: I wanted to know what the parentheses mean around the numbers? For example the problem is 6+3[(12/4)+5]. Can you please help understand I am very confused. Thanks, TIna

Question 109108: I wanted to know what the parentheses mean around the numbers? For example the problem is 6+3[(12/4)+5]. Can you please help understand I am very confused. Thanks, TIna
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
wanted to know what the parentheses mean around the numbers? For example the problem is 6+3[(12/4)+5]. Can you please help understand I am very confused.
:
Start with the values inside the most inside parentheses
:
In this case it's (12/4), do the math there and remove the parentheses
:
you then have: 6 + 3[3 + 5]
:
Do the math inside these parentheses and you have
6 + 3(8);
:
Multiply 3*8 and you have:
6 + 24 = 30
:
Some other important rules:
Sometimes you can't do the math inside the parentheses, for example
3(x + 4)
but you can remove the brackets by multiplying 3 times x and 3 times 4
3x + 12
(Everything inside the brackets has to be multiplied by what's outside)
:
Another very important rule is if there is a neg outside the brackets, like
-3(x + 4)
When you multiply by -3 you must change the signs. you will have:
-3x - 4
If you had
-3(x - 4), it would be
-3x + 4, (the sign of 4 is changed to positive)
:
Hope this helps, you can email me if you have a question about what I just said here.
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