Can someone help me? How do I apply SADMEP to this? I already did something, but I feel like it's all wrong..

Using complete sentences, explain how solving a literal equation is similar to or different from simplifying an expression such as 6 - 2(5^2 + 7) ÷ 4.

6-2(5^2+7)÷ 4
4(5^2+7)÷ 4
I can't divide 4(5^2+7)÷ 4... And I surely can't add (5^2+7) unless doing the exponent first... But, then I'd have to multiple 4(5^2+7) before dividing it;;

Question

Can someone help me? How do I apply SADMEP to this? I already did something, but I feel like it's all wrong..

Using complete sentences, explain how solving a literal equation is similar to or different from simplifying an expression such as 6 - 2(5^2 + 7) ÷ 4. 

6-2(5^2+7)÷ 4
4(5^2+7)÷ 4
I can't divide 4(5^2+7)÷ 4... And I surely can't add (5^2+7) unless doing the exponent first... But, then I'd have to multiple 4(5^2+7) before dividing it;;

amistre64 · Answer

5^2 = 5*5

e.mccormick · Answer

SADMEP?  Usually I see the order of operations as PEMDAS, because you do addition and subtraction last...

Also, look a little closer at the question.  "...explain how solving a literal equation is similar to or different from simplifying an expression..."  They don't want you to solve it.  They just want you to talk about it.

amistre64 · Answer

if we do the altered state of reality ops ...

5*5+7 = 5*12

anonymous · Answer

Oh, so basically they want me to explain the difference between SADMEP and PEMDAS. Because, SADMEP is used to solve literal equations while, PEMDAS is to simplify them.

amistre64 · Answer

oy vey! ... remember when algebra actually taught algebra ....

e.mccormick · Answer

Well, not only how they are different, but also how they are the same.  When dealing with a literal equation, you are moving things around to get it in another form.  When you simplify, it sure sounds a lot like that!

amistre64 · Answer

also SA and DM  are not order specific ...

e.mccormick · Answer

Yah.  They are right to left....

amistre64 · Answer

5 + 2 - 3 is the same no matter what

and 

3 * 4
----   is the same no matter what
 12


it is the grouping symbols that are important

e.mccormick · Answer

@amistre64  And the theory of algebra is algebra... it is probably more algebra than the doing of algebra!  But yes, I remember the days when all it was comprised of was solving dozens of equations until you developed the process of doing so.

amistre64 · Answer

of course when dealing with stuff like:  3/4/2  its considered left to right

amistre64 · Answer

you might want to consider that ^2 is a grouping:

(5)^2  and consider it as a "P"

e.mccormick · Answer

So basically, describing how the processes used and goals are both similar and different.  You can find a few of both, like how simplification is a different process but the goal of getting the same information in a different form is the same goal.  If you think about it a little more, you should get a couple other things like that to say.  Or start with that and explain how that happens.

anonymous · Answer

Thank you guys, I understand now! :DD c: