Order of operations with integers

Using the order of operations with positive and negative integers, and substituting negative values into expressions.

Same rules, more care

The order of operations does not change: brackets, then $\times$ and $\div$, then $+$ and $-$, working left to right.

Example 1●

Evaluate $-3 + 4 \times (-2)$.

$4 \times (-2) = -8$

$-3 + (-8) = -11$

Example 2●●

Evaluate $(-12 + 4) \div (-2) - 5$.

Brackets: $-8$

$-8 \div (-2) = 4$

$4 - 5 = -1$

Example 3●●

Evaluate $b^2 - 4a$ when $a = -2$ and $b = -3$.

$(-3)^2 - 4 \times (-2)$

$= 9 + 8 = 17$

Flashcards

$(-5)^2$

$25$

$-5^2$

$-25$

Substituting a negative

Use brackets around it.

Practice