According to the order of operations, expressions inside parentheses are evaluated first, followed by exponents, then multiplication and division, and finally addition and subtraction are evaluated last.
9 * 5 -2^4(5/2-1/2)For the given expression, this means evaluating the subtraction inside parentheses first, the power next, then the multiplication, and finally the subtraction. Let's focus on the expression inside parentheses.
5/2-1/2
Remember that to subtract fractions with the same denominator, we subtract their numerators and keep the denominators the same. Let's simplify the expression.
Operation
Before Simplification
After Simplification
Subtract fractions
9 * 5 -2^4( 5/2- 1/2)
9 * 5 -2^4( 4/2)
Divide
9 * 5 -2^4(4/2)
9 * 5 -2^4( 2)
Calculate power
9 * 5 -2^4(2)
9 * 5 - 16(2)
Multiply
9 * 5 - 16( 2)
45- 32
Subtract term
45- 32
13
The expression is equal to 13.
Alternative Solution
Using a Calculator
We can also evaluate this expression using a calculator. To do so, we type it as shown below.
Whenever using a calculator for a complicated expression such as this, be very careful when placing the parentheses. A calculator will only do what it is told to do, not what you meant for it do.
