Algebra: Calculating with exponents and roots
Order of operations
Now that we have explained all operations, we will check in which order we are allowed to perform them.
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When adding or subtraction, we perform the operations from left to right. |
Example |
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When multiplying or dividing, we perform the operations from left to right. |
Example |
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Multiplying or dividing has precedence over adding and subtracting. |
Example |
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Exponentiation has precedence over multiplying and dividing. |
Example |
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First, calculate what is in between brackets. |
Example |
#\begin{array}{rcl} -2 \cdot x^{3+4} \cdot x -5 \cdot x^{3+1} \cdot 3 \cdot x^{4} &=& -2 \cdot x^{7} \cdot x -5 \cdot x^{4} \cdot 3 \cdot x^{4} \\
&& \phantom{xxx}\blue{\text{exponentiation has precedence }}\\
&=& -2 \cdot x^{8} -15 \cdot x^{8} \\
&& \phantom{xxx}\blue{\text{multiplication is the second step }} \\ && \phantom{xxx}\blue{\text{with the rule for exponents: }a^{n} \cdot a^{m}=a^{n+m}}\\
&=& -17 \cdot x^{8} \\
&& \phantom{xxx}\blue{\text{then adding/subtracting like terms }}\\
\end{array}#
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