Question

Which statement is true about the parentheses in this expression?

(4 × 8 − 12 ÷ 4) + 2


A) The parentheses indicate that 4 x 8 − 12 ÷ 4 should be evaluated before adding 2.

B) The parentheses indicate that 12 ÷ 4 should be evaluated before multiplying 4 x 8.

C) The parentheses indicate that 8 − 12 should be evaluated first.

D) The parentheses indicate that 4 + 2 should be evaluated first.

Answer 1

The correct answer is

A) The parentheses indicate that 4 x 8 − 12 ÷ 4 should be evaluated before adding 2.

Explanation:

Parenthesis i.e. () are used to indicate the order in which the operations (e.g. addition, multiplication etc) in algebraic expression should be evaluated.

The mathematical algebraic expressions are solved and simplified according to the BODMAS rule. BODMAS means to carry out the following in sequence, one after the other:

B
`\rightarrow` Bracket - () or {}

O
`\rightarrow` order or power -
`√(4), 8^(2)` etc

D
`\rightarrow` Division - 88÷11

M
`\rightarrow` Multiplication - 10
`*`7

A
`\rightarrow` Addition - 99+10

S
`\rightarrow` Subtraction - 77-9

So, According to BODMAS rule, the bracket/parenthesis i.e. (4 × 8 − 12 ÷ 4) is to be solved before adding 2.

Answer 2

A) The parentheses indicate that 4 x 8 − 12 ÷ 4 should be evaluated before adding 2.

Explanation:

Given: (4 × 8 − 12 ÷ 4) + 2

To choose: the correct option

Solution:

According to BODMAS,

B: brackets (( ), { }, [ ])

O: of

D: Division

M: Multiplication

A: Addition

S: Subtraction

First solve the bracket term then do further calculations.

In (4 × 8 − 12 ÷ 4) + 2, the parentheses indicate that 4 x 8 − 12 ÷ 4 should be evaluated before adding 2