Use the order of operation to find the value of the expression.

2 + 3 x 16 - 2 x 21 - 3

5

14

35

44

1 answer

To evaluate the expression \(2 + 3 \times 16 - 2 \times 21 - 3\) using the order of operations (also known as PEMDAS/BODMAS), we first perform multiplication and then carry out addition and subtraction from left to right.

  1. Calculate the products:
    • \(3 \times 16 = 48\)
    • \(2 \times 21 = 42\)

So the expression becomes: \[ 2 + 48 - 42 - 3 \]

  1. Perform the addition and subtraction from left to right:
    • \(2 + 48 = 50\)
    • \(50 - 42 = 8\)
    • \(8 - 3 = 5\)

Thus, the value of the expression is: \[ \boxed{5} \]