Question

Suppose the expression was (12 - 3)². Would you still simplify 3² first? Explain.

Answer 1

No, I will not simplify 3² first.

Rather I would simplify (12-3) first, i.e., 9.

Then simplify 9² which gives the answer 81.

Explanation:

• (12-3)²
• = 9²
• = 81

Answer 2

No because the 2 is outside of the parentheses meaning it should be 9^2

Explanation: