Solve the Arithmetic Expression: 20-3-7+4 Step by Step

Q: Why can't I just add all the positive numbers and subtract all the negative ones?

Because the order matters in subtraction! The expression $ 20-3-7+4 $ is different from $ 20+4-3-7 $. You must follow the exact sequence given.

Q: What if I get confused about which direction to go?

Always remember: left to right, one step at a time. Cover up everything to the right with your hand and solve what you can see, then move right to the next operation.

Q: Do addition and subtraction really have the same priority?

Yes! In PEMDAS/BODMAS, addition and subtraction are equal priority, just like multiplication and division. When operations have equal priority, always work left to right.

Q: How can I double-check my work?

Use a calculator or retrace your steps: $ 20-3=17 $, then $ 17-7=10 $, then $ 10+4=14 $. Each intermediate result should match!

Order of Operations with Mixed Addition and Subtraction

Solve:

$20-3-7+4$

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Understand the problem

Solve:

$20-3-7+4$

Step-by-step solution

To solve the expression $20-3-7+4$ , we follow the order of operations. Since there are only addition and subtraction operations, we can solve from left to right:

$20-3$ gives us $17$ .

Then, $17-7$ gives us $10$ .

Finally, $10+4$ gives us $14$ .

So, the correct answer is $14$ .

Final Answer

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Left to Right Rule: Addition and subtraction have equal priority, work left to right
Step-by-Step Method: $20-3=17, 17-7=10, 10+4=14$
Verification: Check by retracing steps: 17-7+4 should equal 14 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Adding and subtracting in wrong order
Don't group operations like (20-3-7)+4 = 10+4 = 14 versus 20-(3-7+4) = 20-4 = 16! This changes which numbers are being subtracted. Always work strictly from left to right when operations have equal priority.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

$$ 8 - 2 + 6 = $$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just add all the positive numbers and subtract all the negative ones?

Because the order matters in subtraction! The expression $20-3-7+4$ is different from $20+4-3-7$ . You must follow the exact sequence given.

What if I get confused about which direction to go?

Always remember: left to right, one step at a time. Cover up everything to the right with your hand and solve what you can see, then move right to the next operation.

Do addition and subtraction really have the same priority?

Yes! In PEMDAS/BODMAS, addition and subtraction are equal priority, just like multiplication and division. When operations have equal priority, always work left to right.

How can I double-check my work?

Use a calculator or retrace your steps: $20-3=17$ , then $17-7=10$ , then $10+4=14$ . Each intermediate result should match!

What's the most common mistake students make?

Jumping around instead of working left to right! Some students might calculate $3+7=10$ first, then do $20-10+4=14$ , which happens to work here but fails with different numbers.

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