Solve -5+3(9+1): Order of Operations Practice Problem

Q: Why can't I just work from left to right like reading?

Mathematics has a specific order that everyone must follow to get the same correct answer. Without PEMDAS, the expression $ -5+3(9+1) $ could have multiple different answers!

Q: What happens if I forget the parentheses step?

You'll get the wrong answer! Parentheses are always first in PEMDAS. If you skip $ 9+1=10 $, you might incorrectly try to multiply 3×9 and 3×1 separately.

Q: How do I handle the negative number -5?

The negative sign belongs to the 5, so think of it as negative five plus thirty. This equals $ 30-5=25 $, which is positive!

Q: What if I get confused about which operation to do next?

Remember PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction. Write it down and check off each step as you complete it!

Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Solve

00:03 Always solve parentheses first

00:08 Between a number and parentheses there is always multiplication

00:11 Always solve multiplication and division before addition and subtraction

00:17 Let's continue solving

00:23 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

1

Understand the problem

$-5+3(9+1)=$

2

Step-by-step solution

First, we solve the exercise within the parentheses:

$9+1=10$

Now we obtain the exercise:

$-5+3\times10=$

According to the order of operations, we solve the multiplication exercise:

$3\times10=30$

We obtain:

$-5+30=$

We use the substitution property:

$30-5=25$

3

Final Answer

$25$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

PEMDAS Rule: Parentheses first, then multiplication, finally addition/subtraction
Technique: Calculate (9+1)=10, then 3×10=30, finally -5+30=25
Check: Verify each step follows order: parentheses, multiplication, addition ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Working left to right without following order of operations
Don't calculate -5+3=(-2) first, then multiply by (9+1)=10 to get -20! This ignores the order of operations and creates wrong answers. Always follow PEMDAS: solve parentheses first, then multiplication, then addition.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

$$ 94+12+6= $$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just work from left to right like reading?

+

Mathematics has a specific order that everyone must follow to get the same correct answer. Without PEMDAS, the expression $-5+3(9+1)$ could have multiple different answers!

What happens if I forget the parentheses step?

+

You'll get the wrong answer! Parentheses are always first in PEMDAS. If you skip $9+1=10$ , you might incorrectly try to multiply 3×9 and 3×1 separately.

How do I handle the negative number -5?

+

The negative sign belongs to the 5, so think of it as negative five plus thirty. This equals $30-5=25$ , which is positive!

Can I use a calculator for this?

+

Yes, but make sure your calculator follows order of operations! Most scientific calculators do, but simple calculators might work left to right and give you the wrong answer.

What if I get confused about which operation to do next?

+

Remember PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction. Write it down and check off each step as you complete it!

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Solve -5+3(9+1): Order of Operations Practice Problem

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