Expert: Josh - 7/26/2006

Question
Hello:

Where should the parentheses and brackets  be used in order to indicate the following calculations?

2 X 16 1/2 + 2 + 3

I want to add 16 1/2 and 2 first then multiply the sum of 33 by 2 then add 3 to the product.

Is this correct [(2 X (16 1/2 + 2 )] + 3?

I thank you for your reply.


Answer
Hello,

Just want to say that I have actually replied to this question. Apparently, my reply didn't reach you for some reason. Nevermind :)

I found a typo in the second last line. Notice that the opening parenthesis "(" is not matched by closing parenthesis. I think you mean [2 X (16 1/2 + 2 )] + 3

Also, we could do without the square parentheses, since multiplication has a higher precedance compared to addition. i.e., we always perform multiplication before addition.

So, we can simply write 2 X (16.5 + 2 ) + 3

Cheers.