Solve the Expression: 6-2+5-3 Using Order of Operations

Q: Why do I work left to right instead of doing all additions first?

Addition and subtraction have equal priority in order of operations! When operations have the same level, you must work left to right. This prevents errors and ensures consistent results.

Q: How can I remember to work left to right?

Think of it like reading a sentence - you read from left to right! When you see $ 6-2+5-3 $, just work through it step by step like reading words in order.

Q: Is there an easier way to check my work?

Yes! You can rewrite the expression as $ 6+(-2)+5+(-3) $ and add all the numbers. This should give you the same answer: $ 6-2+5-3 = 6 $.

Q: What if the numbers were bigger or included decimals?

The same left-to-right rule applies regardless of number size or type! Whether you have whole numbers, decimals, or fractions, always work from left to right for equal-priority operations.

Addition and Subtraction with Left-to-Right Order

Solve:

$6-2+5-3$

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Step-by-step written solution

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Understand the problem

Solve:

$6-2+5-3$

Step-by-step solution

To solve the expression $6-2+5-3$ , follow the order of operations, performing addition and subtraction from left to right.
Step 1: Subtract the first two numbers: $6-2=4$ .
Step 2: Add the next number: $4+5=9$ .
Step 3: Subtract the final number: $9-3=6$ .
Therefore, the correct answer is $6$ .

Final Answer

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Addition and subtraction have equal priority, work left to right
Technique: Calculate step by step: 6-2=4, then 4+5=9, then 9-3=6
Check: Verify each step produces correct intermediate results ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Working right to left or grouping incorrectly
Don't calculate 5-3=2 first and get 6-2+2=6! This ignores left-to-right order and can give wrong answers with different expressions. Always work 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 do I work left to right instead of doing all additions first?

Addition and subtraction have equal priority in order of operations! When operations have the same level, you must work left to right. This prevents errors and ensures consistent results.

What if I accidentally group the operations differently?

Grouping incorrectly can change your answer! For example, treating this as $6-(2+5-3)$ would give you $6-4=2$ instead of the correct answer 6.

How can I remember to work left to right?

Think of it like reading a sentence - you read from left to right! When you see $6-2+5-3$ , just work through it step by step like reading words in order.

Is there an easier way to check my work?

Yes! You can rewrite the expression as $6+(-2)+5+(-3)$ and add all the numbers. This should give you the same answer: $6-2+5-3 = 6$ .

What if the numbers were bigger or included decimals?

The same left-to-right rule applies regardless of number size or type! Whether you have whole numbers, decimals, or fractions, always work from left to right for equal-priority operations.

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