How do you simplify 8 + 1/2 (4)^2 - 5 using PEMDAS?

1 Answer
EZ as pi
Aug 1, 2016

11

Explanation:

First find the number of terms. In this case there are three.
Each term will simplify to a single answer. They will be added or subtracted in the last step.

color(red)(8)color(blue)( + 1/2 (4)^2)color(magenta)( - 5)

Do the most powerful operation first- powers and roots,

color(red)(8)color(blue)( + 1/2 (16)color(magenta)( - 5)

color(red)(8)color(blue)(+8)color(magenta)( - 5)

=11

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