please help me figure out 3+(-5)-|5-8|-3(-4)

boyslie72487

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Sep 27, 2006
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I took a test last week and I got this problem wrong:

. . .3 + (-5) - |5 - 8| - 3(-4)

I've tried to rework it about a dozen times, and still cant get it! Please somebody help me before I go insane! I tried it on my calculator, and it says that the answer is 7...
 
boyslie72487 said:
I've tried to rework it about a dozen times, and still cant get it! Please somebody help me....
The tutors will be glad to help you find any errors.

Please reply showing your work. Thank you.

Eliz.
 
boyslie72487 said:
3 + (-5) - |5 - 8| - 3(-4)
3+(-5)+3-3(-4)
It looks like a step was skipped. The first thing to do would probably be to evaluate the "5 - 8" inside the absolute value. Then take the absolute value of the result. Only then apply the "minus" in front.

boyslie72487 said:
1-3(-4)
-2(-4)
You might want to review the order of operations: Multiplication (in this case, the three times four) comes before addition.

Eliz.
 
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