Evaluate each expression. See Example 5.6 • 3 - 12 ÷ 4

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the operations in the expression: multiplication, subtraction, and division.
2. Follow the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS): Parentheses/Brackets, Exponents/Orders, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).
3. First, perform the multiplication: calculate \(6 \times 3\).
4. Next, perform the division: calculate \(12 \div 4\).
5. Finally, perform the subtraction: subtract the result of the division from the result of the multiplication.

Key Concepts

Order of Operations

The order of operations is a set of rules that dictates the sequence in which mathematical operations should be performed to ensure consistent results. The acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)) is commonly used to remember this order. Following these rules is crucial for accurately evaluating expressions.

Multiplication and Division

Multiplication and division are fundamental arithmetic operations that are performed from left to right in an expression, according to the order of operations. In the expression provided, both operations must be evaluated before any addition or subtraction. Understanding how to correctly apply these operations is essential for solving the expression accurately.

Subtraction

Subtraction is the operation of finding the difference between two numbers. In the context of the expression, it is the final operation to be performed after evaluating multiplication and division. Recognizing how subtraction interacts with other operations is important for arriving at the correct final result.