SOLUTION: Insert grouping symbols so that the expression below will have a value of -20 4+12(divided by)2 to the third power

Question 395800: Insert grouping symbols so that the expression below will have a value of -20
4+12(divided by)2 to the third power
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20056) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
There is no way to get a negative number using only positive numbers if there can be no subtraction. That's because
`
1. adding positive numbers gives only positive numbers, never negative numbers.
2. multiplying positive numbers gives only positive numbers, never negative
numbers.
3. dividing positive numbers gives only positive numbers, never negative
numbers.
4. raising a positive number to a power gives positive numbers, never negative
numbers.
`
The only way to work with positive numbers only and get a negative number is to
subtract a larger positive number from a smaller positive number.
`
But you have no subtraction in your instructions:
`
4+12(divided by)2 to the third power
`
and you have only positive numbers 4, 12, 2 and 3 to work with.
`
Therefore no matter where you put parentheses, you can never get a negative
number.
`
So there is no way you could ever get a negative number such as -20 without
doing any subtraction. So the problem is impossible. Did you mistype
something? If so post again with the correct problem
`
Edwin
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