Solve the Expression: 6 × 2 - 8 Using Order of Operations

Q: Why can't I just solve from left to right?

Mathematical expressions have a specific order that must be followed! Without PEMDAS, different people would get different answers for the same problem. Order of operations ensures everyone gets the same correct result.

Q: What if I accidentally did subtraction first?

If you calculated $ 2 - 8 = -6 $ first, then $ 6 \times (-6) = -36 $, you'd get the wrong answer. Always follow PEMDAS to avoid this mistake!

Q: How do I remember PEMDAS?

Try the phrase "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" - Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. Remember that multiplication/division and addition/subtraction are done left to right within their groups.

Q: What if there were parentheses in this problem?

Parentheses would change everything! For example, $ 6 \times (2 - 8) = 6 \times (-6) = -36 $. Always do what's in parentheses first, then follow the rest of PEMDAS.

Q: Is there a way to double-check my work?

Yes! Work backwards: if your answer is 4, then $ 4 + 8 = 12 $ and $ 12 ÷ 6 = 2 $. This confirms $ 6 \times 2 - 8 = 4 $ is correct.

Order of Operations with Mixed Arithmetic

$6 \times 2 - 8 =$

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Understand the problem

$6 \times 2 - 8 =$

Step-by-step solution

To solve the expression $6 \times 2 - 8$ , we follow the order of operations, typically remembered by the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)).

1. Start with the multiplication: $6 \times 2 = 12$ .

2. Then proceed with the subtraction: $12 - 8 = 4$ .

Thus, the value of the expression is $4$ .

Final Answer

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

PEMDAS Rule: Multiplication before subtraction in order of operations
Technique: First calculate $6 \times 2 = 12$ , then subtract 8
Check: Substitute: $12 - 8 = 4$ matches our answer ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Calculating from left to right without following PEMDAS
Don't calculate 6 × 2 - 8 as (6 × 2) - 8 = 4 - 8 = -4! This ignores order of operations and gives the wrong sign. Always do multiplication first, then subtraction: 6 × 2 = 12, then 12 - 8 = 4.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

$8 + 3 \times 2 =$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

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

Mathematical expressions have a specific order that must be followed! Without PEMDAS, different people would get different answers for the same problem. Order of operations ensures everyone gets the same correct result.

What if I accidentally did subtraction first?

If you calculated $2 - 8 = -6$ first, then $6 \times (-6) = -36$ , you'd get the wrong answer. Always follow PEMDAS to avoid this mistake!

How do I remember PEMDAS?

Try the phrase "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" - Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. Remember that multiplication/division and addition/subtraction are done left to right within their groups.

What if there were parentheses in this problem?

Parentheses would change everything! For example, $6 \times (2 - 8) = 6 \times (-6) = -36$ . Always do what's in parentheses first, then follow the rest of PEMDAS.

Is there a way to double-check my work?

Yes! Work backwards: if your answer is 4, then $4 + 8 = 12$ and $12 ÷ 6 = 2$ . This confirms $6 \times 2 - 8 = 4$ is correct.

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