Evaluate each expression. See Example 5. a. 51 – 16 + 8 b. 51 – (16 + 8)...

Evaluate each expression. See Example 5.

a. 51 – 16 + 8

b. 51 – (16 + 8)

Reference Example 5

Evaluate each expression: a. 12 – 3 + 5 b. 12 – (3 + 5)

Strategy To evaluate the expression in part a, we will perform the subtraction first. To evaluate the expression in part b, we will perform the addition first.

Why The similar- looking expression in part b is evaluated in a different order because it contains parentheses. Any operations within parentheses must be performed first.

Solution

a. The expression does not contain any parentheses, nor are there any exponents, nor any multiplication or division. We perform the additions and subtractions as they occur, from left to right.