Alternative Methods for Evaluating the Expression

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 127 views

Understanding the Problem

When evaluating expressions, it's essential to follow the correct order of operations to ensure accuracy. In this article, we'll explore how to evaluate the expression ${$ -6\left(4 \frac{2}{3}\right)$}$ and examine the different methods for simplifying it.

The Order of Operations

The order of operations is a set of rules that dictate the order in which mathematical operations should be performed when there are multiple operations in an expression. The acronym PEMDAS is commonly used to remember the order of operations:

Parentheses: Evaluate expressions inside parentheses first.
Exponents: Evaluate any exponential expressions next.
Multiplication and Division: Evaluate multiplication and division operations from left to right.
Addition and Subtraction: Finally, evaluate any addition and subtraction operations from left to right.

Evaluating the Expression

The given expression is ${$ -6\left(4 \frac{2}{3}\right)$}$. To evaluate this expression, we need to follow the order of operations.

Step 1: Convert the Mixed Number to an Improper Fraction

The first step is to convert the mixed number ${ $4 \frac{2}{3}\$}$ to an improper fraction. To do this, we multiply the whole number part (4) by the denominator (3) and add the numerator (2):

${ $4 \times 3 + 2 = 12 + 2 = 14\$}$

So, the mixed number ${ $4 \frac{2}{3}\$}$ is equivalent to the improper fraction ${$ \frac{14}{3}$}$.

Step 2: Multiply the Numerator and Denominator

Now that we have the improper fraction, we can multiply the numerator (-6) by the denominator (14):

${$ (-6) \times (14) = -84$}$

Step 3: Simplify the Expression

The expression ${$ -6\left(4 \frac{2}{3}\right)$}$ is now simplified to ${$ -84$}$.

Alternative Methods for Evaluating the Expression

There are two alternative methods for evaluating the expression ${$ -6\left(4 \frac{2}{3}\right)$}$:

Method A: Distributive Property

We can use the distributive property to evaluate the expression:

${$ -6\left(4 \frac{2}{3}\right) = (-6)(4) + (-6)\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)$}$

Using the distributive property, we can simplify the expression:

${$ (-6)(4) = -24$}$

${$ (-6)\left(\frac{2}{3}\right) = -4$}$

So, the expression ${$ -6\left(4 \frac{2}{3}\right)$}$ is equivalent to ${$ -24 - 4 = -28$}$.

Method B: Multiplication and Division

We can also use the multiplication and division rules to evaluate the expression:

${$ -6\left(4 \frac{2}{3}\right) = (-6)(4) \times (-6)\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)$}$

Using the multiplication and division rules, we can simplify the expression:

${$ (-6)(4) = -24$}$

${$ (-6)\left(\frac{2}{3}\right) = -4$}$

So, the expression ${$ -6\left(4 \frac{2}{3}\right)$}$ is equivalent to ${$ -24 \times -4 = 96$}$.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the expression ${$ -6\left(4 \frac{2}{3}\right)$}$ can be evaluated using the order of operations, distributive property, or multiplication and division rules. The correct answer is ${$ -84$}$.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When evaluating expressions, it's essential to avoid common mistakes such as:

Not following the order of operations
Not converting mixed numbers to improper fractions
Not using the distributive property correctly
Not simplifying expressions correctly

By following the correct order of operations and using the distributive property, we can ensure that our expressions are evaluated accurately.

Practice Problems

To practice evaluating expressions, try the following problems:

Evaluate the expression ${ $3\left(2 \frac{1}{2}\right)\$}$ .
Evaluate the expression ${$ -2\left(5 \frac{3}{4}\right)$}$.
Evaluate the expression ${ $4\left(3 \frac{1}{3}\right)\$}$ .

Answer Key

${ $7 \frac{1}{2}\$}$
${$ -13 \frac{1}{2}$}$
${ $14\$}$

Frequently Asked Questions

In this article, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about evaluating expressions.

Q: What is the order of operations?

A: The order of operations is a set of rules that dictate the order in which mathematical operations should be performed when there are multiple operations in an expression. The acronym PEMDAS is commonly used to remember the order of operations:

Parentheses: Evaluate expressions inside parentheses first.
Exponents: Evaluate any exponential expressions next.
Multiplication and Division: Evaluate multiplication and division operations from left to right.
Addition and Subtraction: Finally, evaluate any addition and subtraction operations from left to right.

Q: How do I evaluate an expression with parentheses?

A: To evaluate an expression with parentheses, follow these steps:

Evaluate any expressions inside the parentheses first.
Simplify the expression inside the parentheses.
Evaluate any remaining operations outside the parentheses.

Q: What is the distributive property?

A: The distributive property is a rule that allows us to multiply a single term by multiple terms inside parentheses. The distributive property is written as:

${$ a(b + c) = ab + ac$}$

Q: How do I use the distributive property to evaluate an expression?

A: To use the distributive property to evaluate an expression, follow these steps:

Identify the term that is being multiplied by the terms inside the parentheses.
Multiply the term by each of the terms inside the parentheses.
Simplify the expression.

Q: What is an improper fraction?

A: An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator. For example, ${$ \frac{5}{2}$}$ is an improper fraction.

Q: How do I convert a mixed number to an improper fraction?

A: To convert a mixed number to an improper fraction, follow these steps:

Multiply the whole number part by the denominator.
Add the numerator to the product.
Write the result as an improper fraction.

Q: What is the difference between multiplication and division?

A: Multiplication and division are both operations that involve finding the product or quotient of two numbers. However, the key difference between the two is that multiplication involves finding the product of two numbers, while division involves finding the quotient of two numbers.

Q: How do I evaluate an expression with multiple operations?

A: To evaluate an expression with multiple operations, follow these steps:

Evaluate any expressions inside parentheses first.
Simplify the expression inside the parentheses.
Evaluate any remaining operations from left to right.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when evaluating expressions?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when evaluating expressions include:

Not following the order of operations
Not converting mixed numbers to improper fractions
Not using the distributive property correctly
Not simplifying expressions correctly