Evaluating the Expression 5(-3)(-2)
In this article, we will evaluate the expression 5(-3)(-2) and explore the order of operations to follow when dealing with such expressions.
Understanding the Expression
The expression 5(-3)(-2) may seem complex at first, but it's actually a simple multiplication problem. Let's break it down:
- 5 is the coefficient
- (-3) is the first factor
- (-2) is the second factor
Following the Order of Operations
When evaluating expressions, it's essential to follow the order of operations (PEMDAS):
- Parentheses: Evaluate any expressions inside parentheses.
- Exponents: Evaluate any exponential expressions.
- Multiplication and Division: Evaluate from left to right.
- Addition and Subtraction: Evaluate from left to right.
In this case, we don't have any parentheses or exponents, so we move on to the multiplication step.
Evaluating the Expression
To evaluate the expression, we simply multiply the numbers in the correct order:
5 × (-3) = 5 × -3 = -15
Then, we multiply -15 by (-2):
-15 × (-2) = -15 × 2 = 30
Final Answer
Therefore, the final answer is:
5(-3)(-2) = 30
Conclusion
Evaluating expressions like 5(-3)(-2) may seem daunting at first, but by following the order of operations and breaking down the problem into simpler multiplication steps, we can easily find the correct answer.
