Question

Give two examples that show how using parentheses can change the order in which operations are performed in an expression

Answer 1

Yes, parentheses can change the order in which operations are performed in an expression.

Let us understand this with two examples.

First example.

Let us suppose we have to simplify the expression

`2\cdot (5-3)\\ =2\cdot 2\\ =4`

In this expression we have evaluated subtraction first instead of multiply.

Second example.

Let us suppose we have to simplify the expression

`(5\cdot 2)- 3\\ =10-3\\ =7`

In this expression we have evaluated multiplication first and then subtraction.

Therefore, from above two examples we can see that parentheses can change the order in which operations are performed in an expression.