Parentheses identify a grouped quantity in a numerical expression and indicate that the operation inside the grouping is considered before operations outside it. Learners evaluate whole-number expressions involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, understanding that changing the grouping can change the value and that evaluation is not simply performed from left to right; exponents, variables, and more complex nested grouping are beyond this scope.
Parentheses show which part of an expression to evaluate first. Find the operation inside the parentheses, solve it, and then use that answer in the rest of the expression.
Example:
Step 1: Evaluate inside the parentheses.
Now the expression becomes:
Step 2: Add.
So,
Remember: Do not simply work from left to right. The parentheses tell you to solve before adding .
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