Order of Operations Example (2)

Below is the next expression that we will be simplifying:

Again, the first step in the Order of Operations is to simplify parentehsis and brackets from the inside out. The polynomial x + 1 is in the innermost set of parentheses, but nothing inside of it can be simplified. Now we can simplify the second innermost grouping symbol, the bracket using the Order of Operations.

First simplify multiplication and division in the order they appear. There is no division, all we need to do is distribute 8 into (x + 1).

Now remove the parentheses symbols and simplify addition and subtraction in the order that they appear (combine like terms).

Proceed to the next page to continue simplifying this expression.