Answer:
a) -1535.5
b) 0
Explanation:
A) We do this problem according to its parenthesis. First, let's evaluate the first half, -2[(-1/4)-12(-1)^2]. We have to do (-1)^2 first, because of PEMDAS. (-1)^2 is just 1. Now, our equation is -2[(-1/4)-12*1]. Thus, we get -2[(-1/4)-12] because 12*1 is just 12. Then, we do (-1/4)-12, giving us -12.25. Our equation becomes -2(-12.25). Then, we just get 24.5.
The next half, -5[24+2(-12)^2] is similar. We first evaulate (-12)^2 because of PEMDAS, giving us 144. Then, we have -5[24+2(144)]. 2 times 144 is 288, so we get -5[24+288]. 24 + 288 is 312, so we have -5(312). This finally gives us -1560.
Putting the two together, we get 24.5 - 1560, which is -1535.5.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------B) We substitute a = -1/3 and b = -1 into the equation, -a^2b^2 - 3a^3b^2.
We plug in -1/3 where a is and -1 where b is. So:
-(-1/3)^2(-1)^2 - 3(-1/3)^3(-1)^2.
The tricky part of this problem is making sure you follow PEMDAS. We evaluate the exponents first.
-1/9 * 1 - 3(-1/27) * 1
= -1/9 + 1/9
= 0