Calculate Total Inventory: 50 Lollipops + (9×18) + (6×14) Boxes Problem

Because the 9 and 6 represent boxes, not individual lollipops! Each box contains multiple lollipops, so you must multiply first: 9 boxes × 18 lollipops per box = 162 total lollipops.

While not required, parentheses help organize your work: 50 + (9 × 18) + (6 × 14). This clearly shows you're multiplying first, then adding all the results together.

Break the problem into parts! List each source:

• Initial: 50 lollipops
• First delivery: 9 × 18
• Second delivery: 6 × 14

Look for groups and items per group. Here: 9 boxes (groups) with 18 lollipops each (items per group), and 6 boxes with 14 lollipops each. Always multiply groups × items per group.

Yes! You can calculate $6 \times 14$ first, then $9 \times 18$. Addition is commutative, so 50 + 84 + 162 = 296 gives the same answer.