{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T11:06:08+00:00","modifiedTime":"2023-07-10T19:00:07+00:00","timestamp":"2023-07-10T21:01:03+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Math","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33720"},"slug":"math","categoryId":33720},{"name":"Basic Math","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33722"},"slug":"basic-math","categoryId":33722}],"title":"Evaluating an Expression with Only Multiplication & Division","strippedTitle":"evaluating an expression with only multiplication & division","slug":"applying-order-of-operations-to-expressions-with-only-multiplication-and-division","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Some expressions contain only multiplication and division. When this is the case, the rule for evaluating the expression is pretty straightforward. When an expr","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Some expressions contain only multiplication and division. When this is the case, the rule for evaluating the expression is pretty straightforward. When an expression contains only multiplication and division, evaluate it step by step from left to right.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >The Three Types of Big Four Expressions</h2>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Expression</th>\r\n<th>Example</th>\r\n<th>Rule</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Contains only addition and subtraction</td>\r\n<td>12 + 7 – 6 – 3 + 8</td>\r\n<td>Evaluate left to right.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Contains only multiplication and division</td>\r\n<td>18 ÷ 3 x 7 ÷ 14</td>\r\n<td>Evaluate left to right.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Mixed-operator expression: contains a combination of\r\naddition/subtraction and multiplication/division</td>\r\n<td>9 + 6 ÷ 3</td>\r\n<td>1. Evaluate multiplication and division left to right.\r\n2. Evaluate addition and subtraction left to right.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<p class=\"Remember\">Suppose you want to evaluate this expression:</p>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>9 × 2 ÷ 6 ÷ 3 × 2</blockquote>\r\nAgain, the expression contains only multiplication and division, so you can move from left to right, starting with 9 x 2:\r\n<blockquote>= 18 ÷ 6 ÷ 3 × 2\r\n= 3 ÷ 3 × 2\r\n= 1 × 2\r\n= 2</blockquote>\r\nNotice that the expression shrinks one number at a time until all that’s left is 2. So\r\n<blockquote>9 × 2 ÷ 6 ÷ 3 × 2 = 2</blockquote>\r\nHere’s another quick example:\r\n<blockquote>−2 × 6 ÷ −4</blockquote>\r\nEven though this expression has some negative numbers, the only operations it contains are multiplication and division. So you can evaluate it in two steps from left to right (remembering the rules for multiplying and dividing with negative numbers):\r\n<blockquote>= −2 × 6 ÷ −4\r\n= −12 ÷ −4\r\n= 3</blockquote>\r\nThus,\r\n<blockquote>−2 × 6 ÷ −4 = 3</blockquote>","description":"Some expressions contain only multiplication and division. When this is the case, the rule for evaluating the expression is pretty straightforward. When an expression contains only multiplication and division, evaluate it step by step from left to right.\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >The Three Types of Big Four Expressions</h2>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Expression</th>\r\n<th>Example</th>\r\n<th>Rule</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Contains only addition and subtraction</td>\r\n<td>12 + 7 – 6 – 3 + 8</td>\r\n<td>Evaluate left to right.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Contains only multiplication and division</td>\r\n<td>18 ÷ 3 x 7 ÷ 14</td>\r\n<td>Evaluate left to right.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Mixed-operator expression: contains a combination of\r\naddition/subtraction and multiplication/division</td>\r\n<td>9 + 6 ÷ 3</td>\r\n<td>1. Evaluate multiplication and division left to right.\r\n2. Evaluate addition and subtraction left to right.</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<p class=\"Remember\">Suppose you want to evaluate this expression:</p>\r\n\r\n<blockquote>9 × 2 ÷ 6 ÷ 3 × 2</blockquote>\r\nAgain, the expression contains only multiplication and division, so you can move from left to right, starting with 9 x 2:\r\n<blockquote>= 18 ÷ 6 ÷ 3 × 2\r\n= 3 ÷ 3 × 2\r\n= 1 × 2\r\n= 2</blockquote>\r\nNotice that the expression shrinks one number at a time until all that’s left is 2. So\r\n<blockquote>9 × 2 ÷ 6 ÷ 3 × 2 = 2</blockquote>\r\nHere’s another quick example:\r\n<blockquote>−2 × 6 ÷ −4</blockquote>\r\nEven though this expression has some negative numbers, the only operations it contains are multiplication and division. So you can evaluate it in two steps from left to right (remembering the rules for multiplying and dividing with negative numbers):\r\n<blockquote>= −2 × 6 ÷ −4\r\n= −12 ÷ −4\r\n= 3</blockquote>\r\nThus,\r\n<blockquote>−2 × 6 ÷ −4 = 3</blockquote>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9399,"name":"Mark Zegarelli","slug":"mark-zegarelli","description":" <p><b>Mark Zegarelli</b> is a math teacher and tutor with degrees in math and English from Rutgers University. He is the author of a dozen books, including <i>Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies, SAT Math For Dummies, and Calculus II For Dummies</i>. Through online tutoring, he teaches multiplication and beyond to preschoolers in a way that sets them up for school success while keeping the natural magic of math alive. Contact Mark at markzegarelli.com. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9399"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33722,"title":"Basic Math","slug":"basic-math","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33722"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33726,"title":"Pre-Algebra","slug":"pre-algebra","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33726"}},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[{"label":"The Three Types of Big Four Expressions","target":"#tab1"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":207780,"title":"Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"basic-math-pre-algebra-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","basic-math"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/207780"}},{"articleId":194384,"title":"How to Write Numbers in Scientific Notation","slug":"how-to-write-numbers-in-scientific-notation","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","algebra"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/194384"}},{"articleId":158569,"title":"Important Operations that Make Math Problems Easier","slug":"inverse-operations-and-commutative-associative-and-distributive-properties","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","basic-math"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/158569"}},{"articleId":158567,"title":"Converting Metric Units to English Units","slug":"converting-metric-units-to-english-units","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","basic-math"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/158567"}},{"articleId":158560,"title":"Working with Exponents, Radicals, & Absolute Value","slug":"a-guide-to-working-with-exponents-radicals-and-absolute-value","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","basic-math"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/158560"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":291491,"title":"Teaching Your Kids New Math (K-5) For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"teaching-your-kids-new-math-k-5-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","basic-math"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/291491"}},{"articleId":253710,"title":"Pre-Algebra: Comparing Fractions Using Cross-Multiplication","slug":"pre-algebra-practice-questions-comparing-fractions-using-cross-multiplication","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","basic-math"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/253710"}},{"articleId":249996,"title":"Solving Simple Equations in Pre-Algebra Problems","slug":"pre-algebra-practice-questions-solving-simple-algebraic-equations","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","basic-math"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/249996"}},{"articleId":249986,"title":"Pre-Algebra: Isolating x in an Equation","slug":"pre-algebra-practice-questions-isolating-x-equation","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","basic-math"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/249986"}},{"articleId":249980,"title":"Rearranging Algebraic Equations to Isolate X","slug":"pre-algebra-practice-questions-rearranging-equations-isolate-x","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","basic-math"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/249980"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281978,"slug":"basic-math-pre-algebra-for-dummies-2nd-edition","isbn":"9781119293637","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","basic-math"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119293634/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119293634/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119293634-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119293634/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119293634/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/basic-math-and-pre-algebra-for-dummies-2nd-edition-cover-9781119293637-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><p><b><b data-author-id=\"9399\">Mark Zegarelli</b></b> is a math teacher and tutor with degrees in math and English from Rutgers University. He is the author of a dozen books, including <i>Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies, SAT Math For Dummies, and Calculus II For Dummies</i>. Through online tutoring, he teaches multiplication and beyond to preschoolers in a way that sets them up for school success while keeping the natural magic of math alive. Contact Mark at markzegarelli.com.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":9399,"name":"Mark Zegarelli","slug":"mark-zegarelli","description":" <p><b>Mark Zegarelli</b> is a math teacher and tutor with degrees in math and English from Rutgers University. He is the author of a dozen books, including <i>Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies, SAT Math For Dummies, and Calculus II For Dummies</i>. Through online tutoring, he teaches multiplication and beyond to preschoolers in a way that sets them up for school success while keeping the natural magic of math alive. Contact Mark at markzegarelli.com. 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When this is the case, the rule for evaluating the expression is pretty straightforward. When an expression contains only multiplication and division, evaluate it step by step from left to right.\r\nThe Three Types of Big Four Expressions\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nExpression\r\nExample\r\nRule\r\n\r\n\r\nContains only addition and subtraction\r\n12 + 7 – 6 – 3 + 8\r\nEvaluate left to right.\r\n\r\n\r\nContains only multiplication and division\r\n18 ÷ 3 x 7 ÷ 14\r\nEvaluate left to right.\r\n\r\n\r\nMixed-operator expression: contains a combination of\r\naddition/subtraction and multiplication/division\r\n9 + 6 ÷ 3\r\n1. Evaluate multiplication and division left to right.\r\n2. Evaluate addition and subtraction left to right.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSuppose you want to evaluate this expression:\r\n\r\n9 × 2 ÷ 6 ÷ 3 × 2\r\nAgain, the expression contains only multiplication and division, so you can move from left to right, starting with 9 x 2:\r\n= 18 ÷ 6 ÷ 3 × 2\r\n= 3 ÷ 3 × 2\r\n= 1 × 2\r\n= 2\r\nNotice that the expression shrinks one number at a time until all that’s left is 2. So\r\n9 × 2 ÷ 6 ÷ 3 × 2 = 2\r\nHere’s another quick example:\r\n−2 × 6 ÷ −4\r\nEven though this expression has some negative numbers, the only operations it contains are multiplication and division. So you can evaluate it in two steps from left to right (remembering the rules for multiplying and dividing with negative numbers):\r\n= −2 × 6 ÷ −4\r\n= −12 ÷ −4\r\n= 3\r\nThus,\r\n−2 × 6 ÷ −4 = 3","item_vector":null},"titleHighlight":null,"descriptionHighlights":null,"headers":null,"categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","basic-math"],"title":"Evaluating an Expression with Only Multiplication & Division","slug":"applying-order-of-operations-to-expressions-with-only-multiplication-and-division","articleId":150507},{"objectType":"article","id":150565,"data":{"title":"Applying Order of Operations to Mixed-Operator Expressions","slug":"applying-order-of-operations-to-mixed-operator-expressions","update_time":"2016-03-26T11:06:33+00:00","object_type":"article","image":null,"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Math","slug":"math","categoryId":33720},{"name":"Basic Math","slug":"basic-math","categoryId":33722}],"description":"Often an expression contains at least one addition or subtraction operator and at least one multiplication or division operator. These expressions are mixed-operator expressions. To evaluate them, you need some stronger medicine.\n\n\nThe Three Types of Big Four Expressions\n\n\nExpression\nExample\nRule\n\n\nContains only addition and subtraction\n12 + 7 – 6 – 3 + 8\nEvaluate left to right.\n\n\nContains only multiplication and division\n18 ÷ 3 x 7 ÷ 14\nEvaluate left to right.\n\n\nMixed-operator expression: contains a combination of\naddition/subtraction and multiplication/division\n9 + 6 ÷ 3\n1. Evaluate multiplication and division left to right.\n2. Evaluate addition and subtraction left to right.\n\n\nEvaluate mixed-operator expressions as follows:\n\n Evaluate the multiplication and division from left to right.\n \n Evaluate the addition and subtraction from left to right.\n \n\nFor example, suppose you want to evaluate the following expression:\n\nAs you can see, this expression contains addition, multiplication, and division, so it’s a mixed-operator expression. To evaluate it, start by underlining the multiplication and division in the expression:\n\nNow evaluate what you underlined from left to right:\n\nAt this point, you’re left with an expression that contains only addition, so you can evaluate it from left to right:\n\nThus,\n","item_vector":null},"titleHighlight":null,"descriptionHighlights":null,"headers":null,"categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","basic-math"],"title":"Applying Order of Operations to Mixed-Operator Expressions","slug":"applying-order-of-operations-to-mixed-operator-expressions","articleId":150565},{"objectType":"article","id":150545,"data":{"title":"Applying Order of Operations to Expressions with Only Addition and Subtraction","slug":"applying-order-of-operations-to-expressions-with-only-addition-and-subtraction","update_time":"2016-03-26T11:06:26+00:00","object_type":"article","image":null,"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Math","slug":"math","categoryId":33720},{"name":"Basic Math","slug":"basic-math","categoryId":33722}],"description":"Some expressions contain only addition and subtraction. When this is the case, the rule for evaluating the expression is simple. When an expression contains only addition and subtraction, evaluate it step by step from left to right.\n\n\nThe Three Types of Big Four Expressions\n\n\nExpression\nExample\nRule\n\n\nContains only addition and subtraction\n12 + 7 – 6 – 3 + 8\nEvaluate left to right.\n\n\nContains only multiplication and division\n18 ÷ 3 x 7 ÷ 14\nEvaluate left to right.\n\n\nMixed-operator expression: contains a combination of\naddition/subtraction and multiplication/division\n9 + 6 ÷ 3\n1. Evaluate multiplication and division left to right.\n2. Evaluate addition and subtraction left to right.\n\n\nFor example, suppose you want to evaluate this expression:\n17 – 5 + 3 – 8\nBecause the only operations are addition and subtraction, you can evaluate from left to right, starting with 17 – 5:\n= 12 + 3 – 8\nAs you can see, the number 12 replaces 17 – 5. Now the expression has three numbers instead of four. Next, evaluate 12 + 3:\n= 15 – 8\nThis step breaks down the expression to two numbers, which you can evaluate easily:\n= 7\nSo 17 – 5 + 3 – 8 = 7.","item_vector":null},"titleHighlight":null,"descriptionHighlights":null,"headers":null,"categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","basic-math"],"title":"Applying Order of Operations to Expressions with Only Addition and Subtraction","slug":"applying-order-of-operations-to-expressions-with-only-addition-and-subtraction","articleId":150545},{"objectType":"article","id":150413,"data":{"title":"Mixed-Operator Expressions","slug":"mixed-operator-expressions","update_time":"2016-04-25T20:00:50+00:00","object_type":"article","image":null,"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Math","slug":"math","categoryId":33720},{"name":"Pre-Algebra","slug":"pre-algebra","categoryId":33726}],"description":"A mixed-operator expression contains at least one addition or subtraction sign and at least one multiplication or division sign. To evaluate mixed-operator expressions, follow a couple of simple steps:\r\n\r\n\t\r\nEvaluate all multiplication and division from left to right.\r\nBegin evaluating a mixed-operator expression by underlining all the multiplication or division in the problem.\r\n\r\n\t\r\nEvaluate addition and subtraction from left to right.\r\n\r\n\r\nSample question\r\n\r\n\t\r\nWhat’s –15 x 3 / –5 – (–3) x –4?\r\n–3. Start by underlining all the multiplication and division in the problem; then evaluate all multiplication and division from left to right:\r\n–15 x 3 / –5 – (–3) x –4\r\n= –45 / –5 – (–3) x –4\r\n= 9 – (–3) x –4\r\n= 9 – 12\r\nFinish up by evaluating the addition and subtraction from left to right:\r\n= –3\r\n\r\n\r\nPractice questions\r\n\r\n\t\r\nEvaluate 8 – 3 x 4 / 6 + 1.\r\n\r\n\t\r\nFind 10 x 5 – (–3) x 8 / –2.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n–19 – 7 x 3 + –20 / 4 – 8 = ?\r\n\r\n\t\r\nWhat’s 60 / –10 – (–2) + 11 x 8 / 2?\r\n\r\n\r\nFollowing are the answers to the practice questions:\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n8 – 3 x 4 / 6 / 1 = 7.\r\nStart by underlining and evaluating all multiplication and division from left to right:\r\n8 – 3 x 4 / 6 / 1\r\n= 8 – 12 / 6 + 1\r\n= 8 – 2 + 1\r\nNow evaluate all addition and subtraction from left to right:\r\n= 6 + 1 = 7\r\n\r\n\t\r\n10 x 5 – (–3) x 8 / –2 = 38.\r\nStart by underlining and evaluating all multiplication and division from left to right:\r\n10 x 5 – (–3) x 8 / –2\r\n= 50 – (–3) x 8 / –2\r\n= 50 – (–24) / –2\r\n= 50 –12\r\nNow evaluate the subtraction:\r\n= 38\r\n\r\n\t\r\n–19 – 7 x 3 + –20 / 4 – 8 = –53.\r\nStart by underlining and evaluating all multiplication and division from left to right:\r\n–19 – 7 x 3 + –20 / 4 – 8\r\n= –19 – 21 + –20 / 4 – 8\r\n= –19 – 21 + –5 – 8\r\nThen evaluate all addition and subtraction from left to right:\r\n= –40 + –5 – 8 = –45 – 8 = –53\r\n\r\n\t\r\n60 / –10 – (–2) + 11 x 8 / 2 = 40.\r\nStart by underlining and evaluating all multiplication and division from left to right:\r\n60 / –10 – (–2) + 11 x 8 / 2\r\n= –6 – (–2) + 11 x 8 / 2\r\n= –6 – (–2) + 88 / 2\r\n= –6 – (–2) + 44\r\nNow evaluate all addition and subtraction from left to right:\r\n= –4 + 44 = 40\r\n\r\n","item_vector":null},"titleHighlight":null,"descriptionHighlights":null,"headers":null,"categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","pre-algebra"],"title":"Mixed-Operator Expressions","slug":"mixed-operator-expressions","articleId":150413},{"objectType":"article","id":150546,"data":{"title":"Applying Order of Operations in Expressions with Exponents","slug":"applying-order-of-operations-in-expressions-with-exponents","update_time":"2023-06-22T13:57:07+00:00","object_type":"article","image":null,"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Math","slug":"math","categoryId":33720},{"name":"Basic Math","slug":"basic-math","categoryId":33722}],"description":"Evaluate exponents from left to right before you begin evaluating Big Four operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing). The trick here is to turn the expression into a Big Four expression and then use the other basic order of operations rules.\r\nThe Three Types of Big Four Expressions\r\n\r\n\r\nExpression\r\nExample\r\nRule\r\n\r\n\r\nContains only addition and subtraction\r\n12 + 7 - 6 - 3 + 8\r\nEvaluate left to right.\r\n\r\n\r\nContains only multiplication and division\r\n18 ÷ 3 x 7 ÷ 14\r\nEvaluate left to right.\r\n\r\n\r\nMixed-operator expression: contains a combination of\r\naddition/subtraction and multiplication/division\r\n9 + 6 ÷ 3\r\n1. Evaluate multiplication and division left to right.\r\n2. 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Evaluating an Expression with Only Multiplication & Division

By: Mark Zegarelli and

Updated: 07-10-2023

From The Book: Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies

Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies

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Some expressions contain only multiplication and division. When this is the case, the rule for evaluating the expression is pretty straightforward. When an expression contains only multiplication and division, evaluate it step by step from left to right.

The Three Types of Big Four Expressions

Expression	Example	Rule
Contains only addition and subtraction	12 + 7 – 6 – 3 + 8	Evaluate left to right.
Contains only multiplication and division	18 ÷ 3 x 7 ÷ 14	Evaluate left to right.
Mixed-operator expression: contains a combination of addition/subtraction and multiplication/division	9 + 6 ÷ 3	1. Evaluate multiplication and division left to right. 2. Evaluate addition and subtraction left to right.

Suppose you want to evaluate this expression:

9 × 2 ÷ 6 ÷ 3 × 2

Again, the expression contains only multiplication and division, so you can move from left to right, starting with 9 x 2:

= 18 ÷ 6 ÷ 3 × 2 = 3 ÷ 3 × 2 = 1 × 2 = 2

Notice that the expression shrinks one number at a time until all that’s left is 2. So

9 × 2 ÷ 6 ÷ 3 × 2 = 2

Here’s another quick example:

−2 × 6 ÷ −4

Even though this expression has some negative numbers, the only operations it contains are multiplication and division. So you can evaluate it in two steps from left to right (remembering the rules for multiplying and dividing with negative numbers):

= −2 × 6 ÷ −4 = −12 ÷ −4 = 3

Thus,

−2 × 6 ÷ −4 = 3

About This Article

This article is from the book:

Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies ,

About the book author:

Mark Zegarelli is a math teacher and tutor with degrees in math and English from Rutgers University. He is the author of a dozen books, including Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies, SAT Math For Dummies, and Calculus II For Dummies. Through online tutoring, he teaches multiplication and beyond to preschoolers in a way that sets them up for school success while keeping the natural magic of math alive. Contact Mark at markzegarelli.com.

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