How do you simplify 5 + (5 times 40 / 2 + 5) - 20 / (4 - 2) + 100 using PEMDAS?

1 Answer
May 1, 2018

110

Explanation:

Before you blindly follow the PEDMAS process, (or BODMAS, BEDMAS or similar) count the number of TERMS first. They are separated by + and - signs.

Each term will simplify to a single answer which can be added or subtracted in the last step.

Within each term the order is :

  • Parentheses
  • exponents - the powers and roots
  • multiply and divide

5+(5xx4/2+5) -20/(4-2)+100" "larr there are 4 terms#

=color(green)(5)" "color(blue)(+" "(5xxcancel4^2/cancel2+5))" "color(red)( -" "20/(4-2))color(purple)(" "+" "100)

=color(green)(5)" "color(blue)(+" "(10+5))" "color(red)( -" "20/(2))color(purple)(" "+" "100)

=color(green)(5)" "color(blue)(+" "15)" "color(red)( -" "10)color(purple)(" "+" "100)

=color(green)(5)color(blue)(" "+" "15)" "color(purple)(" "+" "100)color(red)( " "-" "10)" "larr subtract at end

=110