Why use brackets in mathematical calculations?
If more than one operation is to be carried out, it is important to know which one should be done first. The answer may be different if you carry out the operations in another order! For example, in the following expression no brackets have been used and it is ambiguous. 2 x 3^2 Either we could multiply 2 by 3 and then square the result, or we could square 3 first and then multiply the result by 2. The first calculation would give the answer 36, while the second calculation would give 18. By using brackets we can specify which operation is to be carried out first. (2 x 3)^2 and 2 x (3^2). The rule is: we must always carry out the operation in brackets first.
Mathematics consists of a sequence/combination of calculations which have to be carried out in a logical manner When a problem is presented in ‘English’ the different parts of the data provided are identifiable by use of commas, colons or, indeed, brackets. When all of the given information is ‘inserted’ into a known mathematical expression or formed into calculation the separate sets of data are kept separate by use of brackets [], {}, or () or sometimes more. The Golden Rule of the sequence of calculating Combined calculations is B O D M A S Brackets Of (Powers) Division Multiplication Addition Subtraction This reminds us that Calculations within ALL brackets are done First etc etc…
