Introduction to Parentheses

In this lesson we evaluate numerical expressions involving parentheses. Parentheses are pairs of brackets used to enclose numerical expressions.To evaluate such expressions, we follow the order of operations for simplification given by the Parentheses, Exponent, Multiplication, Division, Addition and Multiplication (PEMDAS) Rule.

According to this PEMDAS rule, the evaluation begins by simplifying the parentheses first.

Evaluate (6 + 4) ÷ 2

Solution

To evaluate the given numerical expression, we use PEMDAS rule

Step 1:

Simplifying the parentheses first.

(6 + 4) = 10.

Step 2:

Dividing

(6 + 4) ÷ 2 = 10 ÷ 2 = 5.

Step 3:

So (6 + 4) ÷ 2 = 5.

Evaluate 24 ÷ (9 − 3)

Solution

Step 1:

Simplifying the parentheses first.

(9 – 3) = 6

Step 2:

Dividing

So 24 ÷ (9 − 3) = 24 ÷ 6 = 4

Step 3:

So 24 ÷ (9 − 3) = 4