According to the order of operations, expressions inside parentheses are evaluated first, while addition and subtraction are evaluated last. For the given expression, this means evaluating the expression inside the square brackets completely before adding the product.
3[(4-2)^5 - 20 ]Also notice that even within the square brackets, we must obey the order of operations.
(4-2)^5 - 20
For this, we must remember to evaluate the difference inside the parentheses first, then the exponent and the other difference next. Finally, we can evaluate the product outside the square brackets.
Operation
Before Simplification
After Simplification
Subtract term
3[( 4- 2)^5 - 20 ]
3[ 2^5 - 20 ]
Calculate power
3[ 2^5 - 20 ]
3[ 32 - 20 ]
Subtract term
3[ 32 - 20 ]
3[ 12 ]
Multiply
3[ 12 ]
36
The expression equals 36.
Alternative Solution
Using a Calculator
We can also evaluate this expression using a calculator. To do so, type it as shown below.
