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In this activity, we will learn how putting brackets in different places gives different answers.
Remember that with a string of operations, they must be done in the following order:
Brackets
Powers or indices
Division
Multiplication
Adding and subtracting
Remember BIDMAS or BODMAS
Example
3 + 5 × 6 - 2 × 3 + 4
There are no brackets, powers or division, so the first thing to do is multiplication.
5 x 6 = 30 and 2 x 3 = 6
We can now insert those two answers back into the original calculation:
3 + 30 - 6 + 4
Now we add and subtract:
3 + 30 = 33 and -6 + 4 = -2
33 - 2 = 31
If we put brackets in different places, we will get a different answer.
(3 + 5) × 6 - 2 × (3 + 4)
Do the brackets first: 3 + 5 = 8 and 3 + 4 = 7
Insert those two answers back into the original calculation:
8 x 6 - 2 x 7
Then multiply:
8 x 6 = 48 and 2 x 7 = 14
Insert them back into the calculation:
48 - 14 and finally subtract:
48 - 14 = 34
So, can you see that exactly the same numbers and signs can give you a completely different answer if brackets are added to the calculation?
Question
/ 10Mr Shepherd
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Teacher explanation