G OAL Evaluate expressions involving two or more operations.
Order of Operations 1. Evaluate expressions inside grouping symbols. 2. Evaluate powers. 3. Multiply and divide from left to right. 4. Add and subtract from left to right.
E X A M P LE 1 Following Order of Operations
Tickets to a carnival cost $5 each. You then pay $2 for each of 7 rides at the carnival. Evaluate the expression 5 ⫹ 2 ⫻ 7 to find the total amount you spent. Solution 5 ⫹ 2 ⫻ 7 ⫽ 5 ⫹ 14 First multiply 2 and 7. ⫽ 19 Then add 5 and 14. Answer: The total amount you spent is $19. Exercise for Example 1
1. A gym has a $45 membership fee and charges $20 for each month. Write and evaluate an expression to find the cost to join for one year.
E X A M P LE 2 Evaluating a Variable Expression
Evaluate the expression m ⫹ 5n2 when m ⫽ 16 and n ⫽ 3. Solution m ⫹ 5n2 ⫽ 16 ⫹ 5(32) Substitute 16 for m and 3 for n. ⫽ 16 ⫹ 5(9) Evaluate the power. ⫽ 16 ⫹ 45 Multiply 5 and 9. ⫽ 61 Add 16 and 45. Exercises for Example 2
Evaluate the expression when x ⴝ 4, y ⴝ 7, w ⴝ 2, and z ⴝ 10.
4p9 36 a. ᎏ ⫽ ᎏᎏ Multiply 4 and 9. Subtract 13 from 25. 25 ⫺ 13 12 ⫽3 Divide 36 by 12. b. (5 ⫹ 3)2 p (8 ⫺ 6) ⫽ 82 p 2 Add and subtract inside parentheses. ⫽ 64 p 2 Evaluate the power. ⫽ 128 Multiply 64 and 2. Exercises for Example 4
