How do you simplify ${2-4[3+(5+1/2)^2]}-7$ ?

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Answer 1 · 2016-09-18T08:00:11

$-138$

In mixed operation calculations, always count the number of terms first. Each term must simplify to a single number.

Within each term, the order of operations is brackets first , then from strongest to weakest operations,
Powers and roots
Multiply and divide

Add and subtract is done last from left to right

${2-4[3+(color(red)(5+1/2))^2]}-7" "larr$ there are 2 terms

Start with the innermost bracket.

= ${2-4[3+color(red)((11/2)^2)]}-7" "(rarr 5+1/2 = 5 1/2 =11/2)$

= ${2color(red)(-4[3+121/4]}}-7" "larr$ distributive law with -4

= ${2-color(red)(12-121}}-7$

= $-131-7$

= $-138$

How do you simplify {2-4[3+(5+1/2)^2]}-7{2-4[3+(5+1/2)^2]}-7?