Example

Simplifying 8−(−3−1)−98 - (-3 - 1) - 9

To simplify the expression 8−(−3−1)−98 - (-3 - 1) - 9, the order of operations dictates that the expression inside the parentheses must be evaluated first:

  1. Simplify inside the parentheses: Compute the subtraction −3−1=−4-3 - 1 = -4. The full expression becomes 8−(−4)−98 - (-4) - 9.
  2. Subtract left to right (first operation): Subtracting −4-4 is the same as adding 44, so 8−(−4)=8+4=128 - (-4) = 8 + 4 = 12. The expression is now 12−912 - 9.
  3. Subtract left to right (second operation): Complete the final subtraction: 12−9=312 - 9 = 3.

The fully simplified answer is 33.

0

1

Updated 2026-06-03

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.1 Foundations - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra

Related