document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=43378>Question 43378</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Can someone help me solve this problem?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  I need to evaluate the following problem and need to use the order of operations:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  4 - (-3) + 1/2 - 2 divided by (-2)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "  Thanks,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "   Sher </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #28407 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=queenofit><B>queenofit(120)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-09.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=queenofit><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=28407\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Sher,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "It is always helpful to me, when trying to remember the order of operations to use this \"My Dear Aunt Sally\"  M=multiplication D=division A=Addition S=subtraction.  However, you must remember that if you have a series of numbers inside parenthasis (4-2)* 8 =  you must do the ones inside ( ) first in the order of operations MDAS so the above would be 4-2 first even though Mult. is supposed to come first, you always do inside ( ) first. so the answer would be 16 to my example.  Lets look at yours.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "4- (-3)+ 1/2 -2  / 2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "You do not seem to have any ( ) other than the ones around your neg.  So the first order of operations is MY-(multiplication.  I don't see any of that so lets go on to Dear (division). you do have a -2 divided by 2. so do that one first.  It gives you -1 right? rewrite your problem<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4-(-3)+1/2-1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Now we are on to Aunt-(addition) add -3 and 1/2. That seems to be your only addition. -3+1/2 = -2 1/2 right? rewrite your problem.  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "4- (-2 1/2). Sally (subtraction) is all that is left. You know that the 2 neg will cancel out and you are left with 4 + 2 1/2. Your answer is 6 1/2.  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "However, I don't know what grade you are in, so your instructor might want a fractional number as an answer.  You can email me if you have further questions. </SPAN>\n" );
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