Question

I'm having some more trouble with this algebraic expression.

a=2, b=3, and c=-6

12 - 2(a-b)^2

So when you substitute the variables for numbers you get: 12 - 2 (2-3) ^2. I'm a little stuck after there. Can anyone help me?

Answer 1

order of operations , do stuff in parens first
what is 2-3 ?

Answer 2

It would be -1.

Answer 3

ok, now which operation do we do next ?

Answer 4

Then you do exponents right? So the answer to that would be -1

Answer 5

\[ 12 - 2 (2-3) ^2 \\ 12 - 2 (-1) ^2\]
the exponent part is (-1)^2 which means -1*-1

Answer 6

Ohhhh right. Okay so 1. The next step would be multiplication right? So that would be -2 * 1 which is... -2

Answer 7

\[ 12 - 2 (2-3) ^2 \\ 12 - 2 (-1) ^2 \\ 12-2\cdot 1 \\ 12 -2 \]

Answer 8

Awesome I got it right then! Thanks so much for your help,I understand now :) You were really helpful btw

Answer 9

btw, we can treat
12 -2*1 as
12+ -2*1 which gives 12+ -2 = 10

or as
12 - 2*1 wich is 12 - 2 = 10

the first way we think of adding -2
then second way , we think of it as subtracting

Answer 10

Oooooo thanks for the tip :)