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} 5 \cdot x^{2+3} \cdot x + 4 \cdot x^{2+1} \cdot -4 \cdot x^{3} &=& 5 \cdot x^{5} \cdot x + 4 \cdot x^{3} \cdot -4 \cdot x^{3} \\
&& \phantom{xxx}\blue{\text{exponentiation has precedence }}\\
&=& 5 \cdot x^{6} -16 \cdot x^{6} \\
&& \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}}\\
&=& -11 \cdot x^{6} \\
&& \phantom{xxx}\blue{\text{then adding/subtracting like terms }}\\
\end{array}#
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