How do you evaluate 3- ( 1- ( - \frac { 11} { 2} ) )?

2 Answers
Anthony R.
Sep 7, 2017

-3.5

Explanation:

Use "PEMDAS"

Parenthesis
Exponents
Multiplication/Division
Addition/Subtraction

We begin by working within the parenthesis

3-(1-(-11/2))

We see we have (1-(-11/2)) We can rewrite this as

1-(-11/2)->1--5.5->1+5.5

And evaluate to get 6.5

Our expression is now

3-6.5

Which equates to -3.5

Meave60
Sep 7, 2017

3-(1-(-11/2))=color(teal)(-7/2

Explanation:

A different approach, without writing fractions as decimals.

3-(1-(-11/2))

Simplify the parentheses.

3-(1+11/2)

Any whole number, n, has a denominator of 1: n=n/1.

Rewrite.

3/1-(1/1+11/2)

The common denominator is 2. Multiply the numerators and denominators of 3/1 and 1/1 by color(magenta)2/color(magenta)2 to get equivalent fractions with 2 as the denominator.

3/1xxcolor(magenta)2/color(magenta)2-(1/1xxcolor(magenta)2/color(magenta)2+11/2)

Simplify.

6/2-(2/2+11/2)

Simplify the parentheses.

6/2-(13/2)

Subtract.

-7/2

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