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CAHSEE Math 1.4 Algebra and Functions 295 Views


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Description:

CAHSEE Math Algebra and Functions: Drill Set 1, Problem 4. Which operation should be performed first?

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:03

And here's your shmoop du jour.

00:06

When simplifying the expression (16) + (-4) - (-4) × (-5) ÷ (-3),

00:14

which operation should be performed first?

00:18

Here are the potential answers...

00:19

...and hit pause. Try this thing yourself first.

00:24

This is a pretty vanilla question testing whether we understand ordering.

00:28

In general, ordering goes like this:

00:31

Parentheses

00:32

Exponents

00:33

Then multiplication and division

00:34

Then addition and subtraction

00:37

And the process goes generally from left to right.

00:41

So since there are no parentheses or exponents here...

00:44

...we start with the multiplication and division.

00:47

The leftmost elements is the negative 4 times negative 5 -- that's the operation we do first.

00:52

So the answer is just C.

00:54

We have now proven ourselves as ordering masters.

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