ORDER OF OPERATIONS: Problem 2

Rule 22:: If parenthesis "nested (are enclosed in other parenthesis), work from the inside parenthesis out.

Problem 2: Calculate .

Answer: The answer is 9.

Solution:

This problem contains "nested" and 'side-by-side" parenthesis. Simplified the inner most parenthesis first: -side" parenthesis. Simplified the inner most parenthesis first:

The problem is now simplified to .

The simplified problem contains two "side-by-side" parenthesis. You can simplify these on the same level: and

The simplified problem is simplified further when these numbers are substituted for the original "side-by-side" parenthesis: = which in turn can be simplified to .

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Author: Nancy Marcus