document.write( "Question 1174050: -3-(-7)=\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "What are the rules when parentheses are used? Drop the sign within? It’s been forever! \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #799424 by Boreal(15235) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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When there is confusion if one does not use them.
\n" ); document.write( "Also use them when you might change the order of doing operations that appears to violate the rules. If you had 4+9/2, this would be 4+4.5 or 8.5. But you might really mean (4+9)/2, which is 6.5. x-1/x is not understandable without parentheses; we see many problems written like this and have to guess what the person wants.
\n" ); document.write( "Two minus signs together without parentheses may appear as one. When I view the above, I connect the two minus signs and then put a vertical line through to make it +.
\n" ); document.write( "To answer the question, a parenthesis is not required, but it does help clarify. Don't drop the sign within.
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