Pearson Algebra 1 Common Core, 2011
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Pearson Algebra 1 Common Core, 2011 View details
Chapter Test
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Exercise 5 Page 73

Pay close attention to the order of operations.

- 40

Practice makes perfect
We have been asked to simplify the given expression. To do so, we need to make sure that we are following the order of operations.

-20-(- 5) * (- 2^2) For this exercise, this means evaluating the exponent first, the multiplication next, and finally the difference between the terms. Note that a product of two negative numbers is always a positive number.

Operation Before Simplification After Simplification
Calculate power -20-(- 5) * (- 2^2) -20-(- 5) * (- 4)
(- a)(- b)=a* b -20-( - 5) * ( - 4) -20- 5 * 4
Multiply -20- 5 * 4 -20- 20
Subtract term -20- 20 - 40

The given expression equals - 40.