simplifying variable expressions

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patricialec

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Oct 14, 2009
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Hello I'm having some problems with this. I know the PEMDAS order in which to apply this rule but it just doesn't seem to add up. Can you tell me how to approach this? :D

4 - 5(-4n + 3).

thank you
 
Look at it this way:
4 - [5(-4n + 3)] ; do what's inside the brackets first, then remove the brackets and change the signs.
Kapish?
 
Ok...got that...but not sure what the answer turns out to be -11?....-11 + 20n. what the negative sign? I thought that when subtracting we keep the sign of the larger number? I'm confused ...again...But I so appreciate your prompt response. :roll:
 
Possibly, you are confusing the rules for addition and subtraction with the rules for multiplication and division. Here's another way to approach this problem...

4 - 5(-4n + 3)

4 + (-5)(-4n) + (-5)(+3)

Then you need to combine like terms.
 
I appreciate all the help!....hey how about one-step equations? How would one begin to solve 26= 8 + v. Just an FYI, I'm not interested in answers...I have all the answers in front of me....I need to know how to do these for a CLEP e :| xam.
 
Ok...I guess I feel a little slow tonight... :roll: So in the problem 26 = 8 + v. I'm looking for v? which would be 18? :wink: and...should the 18 be in brackets? {18}? if so why the brackets? :shock:
 
Okay this is how we see PEMDAS:

Parathesis
exponents
multiply
dIvide
add
subtract

Right? but it fails to explain an important rule:

Parathesis
exponents
multiply>>>Multiply and Divide in order from left to right as they appear in the problem
dIvide
add >>>>>>Add and Subtract in order from left to right as they appear in the problem
subtract

I go over this in a video lesson on my websiet ---commercial removed---

Hope I helped
Trev
 
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