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Simplifying
When an expression contains a parenthesized sub-expression that is multiplied by a factor, the order of operations requires simplifying inside the parentheses before performing the multiplication and any remaining operations:
- Parentheses first: Compute inside the parentheses, giving .
- Multiply: Compute (different signs yield a negative product), giving .
- Subtract the negative: Subtracting is equivalent to adding : .
The final result is . A common error is to multiply or before resolving the subtraction inside the parentheses. The parentheses override normal left-to-right processing by requiring their contents to be fully evaluated first.
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Learn After
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A resource manager is simplifying the expression $12 - 3(9 - 12) to calculate an equipment allocation. After resolving the parentheses, the expression becomes $12 - 3(-3). Which mathematical rule is used to determine that the product of $3-3$ is negative?
A warehouse supervisor is simplifying the expression $12 - 3(9 - 12)(9 - 12)$?