Consider the expression ([15 + (- 5)] + 6)/2 What is the result of the first simplification that would need to take place, according to the order of operations?

Answer 1

In the expression \(([15 + (-5)] + 6)/2\), the first simplification according to the order of operations (parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division from left to right, addition and subtraction from left to right) is to simplify the operation inside the innermost parentheses, which is \(15 + (-5)\).

Calculating this, we have: \[ 15 + (-5) = 15 - 5 = 10 \]

So, the first simplification results in \(10\). After that, the expression becomes: \[ [10 + 6]/2 \]

Thus, the answer to your question is that the first simplification needed is \(15 + (-5)\).