Use the order of operations to simplify 12 - 2 x 2 x 2 + 4 / 2 + 2 x 2 x 2 x 2
a. 14
B. 24
C. 20
D. 22
To simplify the expression using the order of operations, also known as PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division [from left to right], Addition and Subtraction [from left to right]), we follow these steps:
12 - 2 x 2 x 2 + 4 / 2 + 2 x 2 x 2 x 2
First, we perform any multiplication and division from left to right:
12 - 8 x 2 + 4 / 2 + 2 x 2 x 2 x 2
12 - 16 + 4 / 2 + 2 x 2 x 2 x 2
12 - 16 + 2 + 2 x 2 x 2 x 2
12 - 16 + 2 + 2 x 4 x 2 x 2
12 - 16 + 2 + 8 x 2 x 2
12 - 16 + 2 + 16 x 2
12 - 16 + 2 + 32
Next, we perform addition and subtraction from left to right:
12 - 16 + 2 + 32
-4 + 2 + 32
-2 + 32
30
Therefore, the simplified expression is 30, so the correct answer is option B. 24.