How do you solve math equations containing parentheses?

Answer by  esteban (1334)

First, you must clear the parentheses by applying the distributive property. Then you simplify each side by combining like terms. After that, you apply the addition property of equality, adding to or subtracting from both sides of the equation to isolate the variable terms. Then you divide by the coefficient of the variable. Check your work by substituting.

Answer by  alz (2329)

Remember the acronym PEMDAS, which tells you the order of operations (Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction). This means that you do whatever is inside teh parenthesis first, then move on to do the rest of the problem. Inside the parenthesis itself, you also follow the order of operations. For example, if there was 5x4+3, you do 5x4 first, then add 3.

Answer by  beefcakejake (110)

Usually, when you see parenthesis in math, the are simply a sign to treat everything inside as one number. You have to add, subtract, or do whatever is inside the parenthesis to get the single number than you can then use to solve the rest of the problem.

Answer by  rajatanand (43)

Parantheses in an equation denotes the inclusion. Every open parantheses "(/[/{" is associated with close parantehses ")/]}". Solve the smallest ones to resolve the bigger ones to get an answer.

Answer by  parnell257 (109)

Math calculations are done with the order of precedence in mind - Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally. That is, Parentheses first, then Exponents, then Multiplication and Division, from left to right as found, then, finally, Addition and Subtraction, from left to right as found. The PEMDAS is applied to the contents of any parentheses before outside it.