Step by step
The question
Question: work out 2³ − 4 × 3.
23 − 4 × 3
1 Powers
Powers come before minus and times.
Order: ( ) → x² √ → × ÷ → + −
2³ means 2 times 2 times 2.
23 = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8
That is 8.
= 8 − 4 × 3
2 Times and divide
Times comes before minus.
4 times 3 is 12.
= 8 − 12
3 Plus and minus
We take away more than we have.
Start at 8.
Go down 12.
We pass 0 and land on −4.
= −4
So the answer is −4.
Let's look back.
First: powers.
Then: times and divide.
Last: plus and minus.
Answer
= −4