SOLUTION: -15 + 3 x -4 - 12 /-6 Do I go left to right, or do I do the multiplication first?

Algebra ->  Signed-numbers -> SOLUTION: -15 + 3 x -4 - 12 /-6 Do I go left to right, or do I do the multiplication first?      Log On


   

Question 933782: -15 + 3 x -4 - 12 /-6
Do I go left to right, or do I do the multiplication first?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
BOTH of those. Understand that multiplication has "precedence" over additions and subtractions.


-15 + 3 x -4 - 12 /-6

The 3x stays as it is.

You CANNOT subtract the 12 from the -4 because DIVISION has precedence over addition or subtraction.

In your given expression, change ALL numbers to their signed forms, and use Commutative Property of Addition to combine like-terms.

-15%2B3x%2B%28-4%29%2B%2812%2F%28-6%29%29
-15%2B3x%2B%28-4%29%2B%28-2%29
3x%2B%28-15%29%2B%28-4%29%2B%28-2%29
3x%2B%28-21%29
simplified to 3x-21

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Maybe you meant the "x" to be multiplication operation symbol. If this be so, then as you go from left to right in the entire expression, to operations you do first must be the %283%29%28-4%29=-12 and the %2812%29%2F%28-6%29=-2; this makes your expression now like this:
-15%2B%28-12%29-%28-2%29
and you now again start from left to right and do the additions or subtractions.
-27-%28-2%29
-27%2B2
-25.