How do you use PEMDAS to simplify #4(9-6)^2#?

1 Answer
sente · Jarni Renz
Jan 12, 2016

#4(9-6)^2=36#

Explanation:

Parentheses: Before anything, we evaluate expressions within parentheses.

#4color(red)((9-6))^2#

Inside the parentheses there is only one operation, and so we can evaluate that part directly without worrying about PEMDAS.

#4color(red)((3))^2#

Exponents: Next, apply any exponents. Be careful to only apply the exponent to its base.

#4*color(red)((3)^2)#

In this case, the base is #3#

#4*color(red)(9)#

Multiplication: Next, perform any multiplication. This can include the division step, as dividing by #x# is the same as multiplying by #1/x#.

#color(red)(4*9)#

Multiplication is all that remains, so we evaluate it to get the final result

#color(red)(36)#

Addition and subtraction would follow, however they do not occur in the given expression. Note that as with multiplication and division, subtraction may be performed together with addition, as subtracting #x# is the same as adding #-x#.

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