Question

The binary operation * is defined by a * b = ab - 2a - 2b. Evaluate 2 * ( 3 * 4 ).

Answer 1

-4

Explanation:

Let's first evaluate 3 * 4.

3 * 4 = 3 × 4 - 2 × 3 - 2 × 4 = 12 - 6 - 8 = -2

Therefore, the expression becomes 2 * (-2).

2 * (-2) = 2 × (-2) - 2 × 2 - 2 × (-2) = -4 - 4 + 4 = -4