Question

Melissa is simplifying an expression using the order of operations. She adds 3 and 4, squares the result, and subtracts 9. Which expression is Melissa simplifying?

Answer 1

(3+4)² -9

1) Examining what Melissa has been doing, we can write it out the following:

(3+4)² -9

7² -9

49-9

40

2) Notice that Melissa has applied PEMDAS, so the parentheses must be prioritized.

3) Hence, the answer is (3+4)² -9