Evaluating Arithmetic Expression

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    Arithmetic Expression
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the evaluation of the arithmetic expression $(3)(-4)^{2} - (3)(-5)$. Participants clarify that the small '2' next to the '4' denotes an exponent, indicating that -4 is squared, resulting in 16. The correct evaluation of the expression is 63, achieved by calculating 3 times 16 plus 15, rather than the incorrect total of 50. The acronym BIMDAS (Brackets, Indices, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction) is emphasized as a crucial guideline for order of operations.

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  • Ability to interpret mathematical expressions
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Britt1
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I need help figuring out what the little 2 next to an equation means this is what my problem looks like I have the answer but I can't figure out how it was found out. (3)(-4)2 - (3)(-5) so the 2 next to the 4 in parentheses is little.
 
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Britt said:
I need help figuring out what the little 2 next to an equation means this is what my problem looks like I have the answer but I can't figure out how it was found out. (3)(-4)2 - (3)(-5) so the 2 next to the 4 in parentheses is little.

Do you mean $(3)(-4)^{2}-(3)(-5)?$ If so, the small raised '2' is an exponent. That is a shorthand notation for multiplying something by itself a certain number of times.
 
My tip: BIMDAS!

-4 squared is 16 as I have shown. And then open the brackets. (3)(16) - 3 + 5

3x16 = 48

-3+5 = 2

48 + 2 = 50

But yeah, as Ackbach said, a little 2 is a squared sign meaning to multiply it by itself.
 
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SDAlgebra said:
My tip: BIMDAS!

-4 squared is 16 as I have shown. And then open the brackets. (3)(16) - 3 + 5

3x16 = 48

-3+5 = 2

48 + 2 = 50

But yeah, as Ackbach said, a little 2 is a squared sign meaning to multiply it by itself.
8 year old thread revived.
 
And apparently revived to give the wrong answer!

The original problem was $(3)(-4)^2- (3)(-5)$.
The -5 is multiplied by -3, not subtracted from it.
3(16)+ 15= 48+ 15= 63, not 50.
 

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