Question

How do you evaluate `4( 3+ 1) - 2( 6+ 4)`?

Answer 1

The result is `-4`.

Explanation:

Follow PEMDAS, or the order of operations. PEMDAS stands for:

`"Parentheses"`

`"Exponents"`

`"Multiplication"`

`"Division"`

`"Addition"`

`"Subtraction"`

Here's our expression:

`color(white)=4(3+1)-2(6+4)`

First, simplify the expression in the parentheses:

`color(white)=4(color(red)(3+1))-2(color(blue)(6+4))`

`=4(color(red)4)-2(color(blue)10)`

Next, simplify any exponents. (There are none.) Then, do any multiplication:

`color(white)=color(orange)(4(4))-color(green)(2(10))`

`=color(orange)16-color(green)20`

Lastly, since there isn't any division or addition left, do the final subtraction step:

`color(white)=16-20`

`=-4`

That's the answer!