Select the best answer for the question.
10. Using the order of operations rule, solve the following: 12 + 2 + 4 - 2 × 3 = ?
A. 36
B. 4
C. 0
D. 24
Answer (2)
Following the order of operations, the correct evaluation of the expression 12 + 2 + 4 − 2 × 3 results in 12 . None of the multiple-choice options provided accurately reflect this answer. Therefore, it appears there may be an issue with the choices given.
;
Perform the multiplication first: 2 × 3 = 6 .
Rewrite the expression: 12 + 2 + 4 − 6 .
Perform addition and subtraction from left to right: 12 + 2 + 4 − 6 = 14 + 4 − 6 = 18 − 6 = 12 .
The final answer is 12 .
Explanation
Understanding the problem We need to evaluate the expression 12 + 2 + 4 − 2 × 3 using the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS). This means we need to perform multiplication before addition and subtraction.
Multiplication First, we perform the multiplication: 2 × 3 = 6 .
Rewriting the expression Now we rewrite the expression as 12 + 2 + 4 − 6 . Next, we perform the addition and subtraction from left to right.
First addition We start with the first addition: 12 + 2 = 14 .
Second addition Next, we perform the second addition: 14 + 4 = 18 .
Subtraction and final result Finally, we perform the subtraction: 18 − 6 = 12 . Therefore, the final result is 12.
Checking the options The correct answer is not explicitly listed as one of the options (OA, OB, OC, OD). However, after carefully following the order of operations, we found the result to be 12. It seems there might be a typo in the provided options, or the question expects us to recognize that none of the provided options are correct. Since we must select the best answer, and none of the options match our result, we should double-check our work. We have already done that and are confident in our answer.
Examples
Understanding the order of operations is crucial in many real-life scenarios, such as calculating expenses, determining discounts, or even managing time. For instance, if you have a coupon for 20% off a $50 item and a $5 shipping fee, calculating the final cost requires following the order of operations: first, calculate the discount (20% of $50), then subtract it from the original price, and finally, add the shipping fee. This ensures you get the correct total amount.
