put brackets into these statements to make them true:
a) 20 - 2 + 2 * 2^2 + 6 = 26
b) 20 - 2 + 2 * 2^2 + 6 = 120
(20)((-2 + 2) * 2^2 +6) = 120
what do you get for the other one?
To make the statements true by adding brackets, you need to follow the order of operations (also known as the PEMDAS/BODMAS rule) and prioritize the operations accordingly. PEMDAS stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).
a) 20 - 2 + 2 * 2^2 + 6 = 26
To make this equation true, we can add brackets as follows:
20 - (2 + 2 * 2^2) + 6 = 26
Here, we prioritize the exponent operation first, which gives us:
20 - (2 + 2 * 4) + 6 = 26
After that, we perform the multiplication:
20 - (2 + 8) + 6 = 26
Next, we perform the addition inside the brackets:
20 - 10 + 6 = 26
Finally, we perform the subtraction:
16 = 26
Since 16 is not equal to 26, there is no way to add brackets to make this statement true.
b) 20 - 2 + 2 * 2^2 + 6 = 120
To make this equation true, we can add brackets as follows:
(20 - 2) + (2 * 2^2) + 6 = 120
Here, we prioritize the subtraction and addition operations first:
(18) + (2 * 2^2) + 6 = 120
Next, we prioritize the exponent operation:
18 + (2 * 4) + 6 = 120
Then, we perform the multiplication:
18 + 8 + 6 = 120
Finally, we perform the addition:
32 + 6 = 120
Since 32 + 6 is not equal to 120, there is no way to add brackets to make this statement true.