Question

Evaluate: \[16{\text{ }} - {\text{ }}5{\text{ }} \times \,3{\text{ }} + {\text{ }}4\]

Answer 1

Hint: BODMAS the basic rule for any arithmetic operation. All the arithmetic operations must be done following the BODMAS. This rule is applied irrespective of alignment of numbers, the place value of the numbers or the face value of the numbers. BODMAS is elaborated as Bracket, Order, Division, Multiplication, Addition, and Subtraction.

Complete step-by-step answer:
We have given to solve \[16{\text{ }}-{\text{ }}5{\text{ }} \times {\text{ }}3{\text{ + }}\,4\]
Following the BODMAS rule we have to first solve for the B for Bracket. Here we see that the bracket is used nowhere so we move to the next operation that is O for Order (Exponents) again we see that no operation for order is to be performed.
Proceeding further D for division we observe that no operation for division is to be done and so we will move further to M for Multiplication.
We have an operation for multiplication, we will solve for this \[5{\text{ }} \times {\text{ }}3\] on multiplying it gives us \[15\].
Now the simplified form is
\[16{\text{ }}-{\text{ }}15{\text{ }} + {\text{ }}4\]
So now we get the simplified form as
$\Rightarrow 16 - 15 + 4 $
Now will go for addition
$\Rightarrow 16 + 4 - 5 $
$\Rightarrow 20 - 5$
lastly we perform subtraction to get the answer as $ 20 - 5 = 5 $
So, the correct answer is “5”.

Note: In certain scenarios or regions PEMDAS is used, which is the synonym of the BODMAS. PEDMAS is elaborated as Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Addition, and Subtraction. The above question must be solved by following the BODMAS rule else the result will be different and wrong. Operations containing Decimals, fractions also go with the same rule.