EQUATION:

Question

3{[7(8-2)+4]-[2(2•8-5)+6]}

MY WORK:
(YES THERE ARE MANY STEPS)

3{[7(6)+4]-[2(2•8-5)+6]}
3{[42+4]-[2(2•8-5)+6]}
3{[46]-[2(2•8-5)+6]}
3{46-[(16-5)+6]}
3{46-[2(11)+6]}
3{46-[22+6]}
3{46-28}
3{18}
54

Answer 1

you can do more than one step at a time if they don't affect each other

3{[7(8-2)+4]-[2(2•8-5)+6]}
= 3{[7(6)+4]-[2(16-5)+6]}
= 3{[42+4]-[2(11)+6]}
= 3{[46]-[22+6]}
= 3{[46]-[28]}
= 3{18}
= 54

so you are right,
notice the use of the = sign at the beginning of each new line
What you are saying by that is "What I am about to write is equal to the previous expression"

btw, the original is an "expression" not an "equation"

Answer 2

okay thank you! and thanks for the tips!