Example

Simplifying 7(43)97 - (-4 - 3) - 9

When an expression contains multiple subtractions with parentheses, apply the order of operations alongside integer subtraction rules:

  1. Parentheses first: Compute 43=7-4 - 3 = -7 inside the parentheses, giving 7(7)97 - (-7) - 9.
  2. Subtract the negative: Since subtracting a negative is equivalent to adding a positive, 7(7)=7+7=147 - (-7) = 7 + 7 = 14, so the expression becomes 14914 - 9.
  3. Subtract left to right: Compute 149=514 - 9 = 5. The final result is 55. This problem illustrates how two skills work together: the order of operations determines that the parenthesized expression (43)(-4 - 3) must be resolved first, and the rule a(b)=a+ba - (-b) = a + b converts the subtraction of the negative result into addition. The remaining operations are then carried out from left to right.

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Updated 2026-05-01

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