why is it important to use the order of operations in solving algebraic expression?

Question

math

Answer 1

Because you can get the wrong answer if you don't.

Consider this equation:

3 * x + 6 = 27

If you evaluate it properly,

(3 * x) + 6 = 27

.. then the solution is:

(3 * x) + 6 = 27
(3 * x) = 21
x = 7

If you evaluate the operations in the wrong order, as if it were:

3 * (x + 6) = 27

... then you get:

3 * (x + 6) = 27
(x + 6) = 9
x = 3