# Math Help - Where did I go wrong in expanding the brackets?

1. ## Where did I go wrong in expanding the brackets?

11-3(x+2) =
8(x+2) =
8x+16

Why was this marked as incorrect?

2. ## Re: Where did I go wrong in expanding the brackets?

Originally Posted by Ashir
11-3(x+2) =
8(x+2) =
8x+16

Why was this marked as incorrect?
you did not follow the order of operations ...

11 - 3(x+2) =

11 - 3x - 6 =

5 - 3x

3. ## Re: Where did I go wrong in expanding the brackets?

Originally Posted by Ashir
11-3(x+2) =
8(x+2) =
8x+16

Why was this marked as incorrect?

remove brackets first to get -3x - 6 then do the addition-subtraction

4. ## Re: Where did I go wrong in expanding the brackets?

Oh, thanks. But why couldn't I subtract 3 from 11 first?

5. ## Re: Where did I go wrong in expanding the brackets?

Originally Posted by Ashir
Oh, thanks. But why couldn't I subtract 3 from 11 first?
The Order of Operations: PEMDAS

6. ## Re: Where did I go wrong in expanding the brackets?

I got it, thanks for the help!