Question

Lauren uses a calculator to find 3 + 4 - 3 + 9 - 36 and gets a result. Which statement best describes her work?

A. Lauren determined the correct answer.
B. Lauren determined the result of (3 - 4 + 3) + 9 - 36.
C. Lauren determined the result of 3 + 4 + (3 + 9 + 36).
D. Lauren determined the result of (3 + 4) - 3 + 9 - 36.

Answer 1

Lauren determined the result of (3 - 4 + 3) + 9 - 36.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best describes Lauren's work is B. Lauren determined the result of (3 - 4 + 3) + 9 - 36.

When solving a mathematical expression with multiple operations, we must follow the order of operations, which is parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division (from left to right), and addition and subtraction (from left to right).

In this case, Lauren should first add the numbers within the parentheses, then perform the remaining addition and subtraction operations in the given order. Therefore, the correct expression to evaluate is (3 - 4 + 3) + 9 - 36.