Evaluate (3+20)×(12+4): Order of Operations Practice

Order of Operations with Parenthetical Expressions

(3+20)×(12+4)= (3+20)\times(12+4)=

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve the following problem
00:03 Make sure to open parentheses correctly
00:12 Each term within the parentheses will multiply with each term in the second parentheses
00:25 Solve each multiplication and then sum up
00:48 Solve one addition operation at a time
00:56 This is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

(3+20)×(12+4)= (3+20)\times(12+4)=

2

Step-by-step solution

Simplify this expression paying attention to the order of arithmetic operations. Exponentiation precedes multiplication whilst division precedes addition and subtraction. Parentheses precede all of the above.

Therefore, let's first start by simplifying the expressions within the parentheses. Then we can proceed to perform the multiplication between them:

(3+20)(12+4)=2316=368 (3+20)\cdot(12+4)=\\ 23\cdot16=\\ 368

Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

3

Final Answer

368

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • PEMDAS Rule: Parentheses always come first before multiplication operations
  • Technique: Calculate (3+20)=23 and (12+4)=16, then multiply 23×16=368
  • Check: Verify by working backwards: 368÷16=23 and 368÷23=16 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Multiplying before simplifying parentheses
    Don't multiply 3×12 first to get 36, then add = wrong order! This ignores parentheses and gives answers like 836 or 68. Always solve everything inside parentheses completely before moving to multiplication.

Practice Quiz

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\( 140-70= \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just multiply from left to right?

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Order of operations matters! PEMDAS tells us parentheses come first. If you multiply 3×12 first, you're breaking the grouping that parentheses create.

What if I get a different answer like 68 or 836?

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These are common wrong answers from incorrect order. 68 comes from adding across: (3×12)+(20×4), while 836 comes from multiplying first: 3×20×12×4. Always do parentheses first!

Is there a quick way to check my work?

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Yes! After getting 368, divide it by each parentheses result: 368÷23=16 368 ÷ 23 = 16 and 368÷16=23 368 ÷ 16 = 23 . Both should match your parentheses answers.

What happens if I forget the parentheses?

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Without parentheses, 3+20×12+4 3+20×12+4 would equal 247, not 368! Parentheses change the entire calculation by grouping operations together.

Can I use a calculator for this?

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Absolutely! Most calculators follow PEMDAS automatically. Just type (3+20)×(12+4) exactly as written, and you'll get 368. The parentheses tell the calculator what to do first.

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