Question 617791: What do the bracket mean? I have problem 3[20-4{2+1}] that I can't solve. Found 2 solutions by IFY, MathTherapy:Answer by IFY(62) (Show Source):
Usually, the expression(s) in these brackets [ ] are simplified before the expression(s) in these brackets { }, but in this particular case, these brackets { } are simplified before the expression(s) in these brackets [ ] are.
Having said that, we have: 3[20 - 4{2 + 1}] ------- 3[20 - 4{3}] ---- 3[20 - 12] ---- 3[8], or
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