GCSE · Integers, powers & roots

Negatives and the order of operationsExam-style questions

Why the order of operations exists, why −3² and (−3)² are different numbers, and how the sign rules for negatives follow from what multiplication means.

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13 questions · GCSE (Higher) level · mark scheme and worked solution on each · no sign-up to try

DifficultyAllLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4
  1. 1
    p=−2p = -2 and q=−3q = -3

    Work out the value of 3p2−q33p^2 - q^3
    Level 4 · 3 marksTry it
  2. 2
    (a) Priya says that −62=36-6^2 = 36.

    Explain why Priya is wrong.

    (b) Work out (−1)100−(−1)99(-1)^{100} - (-1)^{99}

    (c) Work out 5−2×(4−7)25 - 2 \times (4 - 7)^2
    Level 4 · 5 marksTry it
  3. 3
    a=−5a = -5

    Work out the value of 2a2+3a2a^2 + 3a
    Level 4 · 2 marksTry it
  4. 4
    Work out 5−2×(3−7)2÷85 - 2 \times (3 - 7)^2 \div 8
    Level 4 · 3 marksTry it