What do parentheses mean in math?

1 Answer
Daniel L.
May 30, 2016

The role of parenetheses in math is to change the order of operations.

Explanation:

The parenetheses are used in math to change the default order of operations. For example the value of expression

2+2*2

is #6# because the correct order is: multiply #2*2#, next add #2+4#

If we put the addition in brackets the value changes:

(2+2)*2

The value of this expression is #8# because the order is changed. First operation is to add #2+2# (this operation is done first because the expression is in brackets), next is to multiply #4*2#

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