Step-by-Step: Solving the Equation
To solve 7 – 2(8 – 4) correctly, we must follow the standard order of operations, often remembered by the acronyms PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction) or BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction).Here is how the math actually works:
Step 1: Address the Parentheses (Brackets)First, we calculate the expression inside the parentheses:$$8 – 4 = 4$$Now, substitute that back into the equation:7 – 2(4)
Step 2: MultiplicationThe notation 2(4) is a shorthand way of writing 2 \times 4. According to the order of operations, multiplication must be performed before subtraction.2 \times 4 =
Our equation now becomes:7 – 8
Step 3: SubtractionFinally, we perform the subtraction:7 – 8 = -1
The mathematically correct answer is -1.
