Introduction

When evaluating the expression 555-5-25, it is crucial to understand the order of operations, often remembered by the acronym BODMAS. This article will provide a comprehensive explanation of the steps involved in solving this expression, emphasizing the importance of the BODMAS rule in arithmetic operations.

BODMAS Rule

The BODMAS rule is a set of guidelines that dictate the order in which mathematical operations should be performed. The acronym stands for:

Brackets (or Parentheses) Of (or Exponents) Division Multiplication Addition Subtraction

According to this rule, operations are performed in the order listed above, with operations of the same precedence (division and multiplication, addition and subtraction) performed from left to right.

Evaluating the Expression: 555-5-25

Let's walk through the evaluation of the expression 555-5-25 step by step.

Step 1: Apply BODMAS Rule

There are no brackets, exponents, or division in this expression, so we start with multiplication (if present). However, in our case, there is no multiplication, so we move directly to the given operations, which are subtraction in sequence.

Expression: 555 - 5 - 25

Step 2: Perform the Operations from Left to Right

Subtraction operations in BODMAS are performed from left to right.

Step 2.1: Subtract 5 from 555

555 - 5 525

Step 2.2: Subtract 25 from 525

525 - 25 30

Step 2.3: Subtract 5 from 30

30 - 5 25

Final result: 25 - 25 0

Alternative Interpretation: Negative Numbers and Cancellation

There is an alternative way to approach the problem, where negative numbers are added to result in a cancellation. This method is often used to simplify expressions involving multiple subtractions.

Expression: 555 - 5 - 25

Step 1: Combine Negative Numbers

555 - 5 - 25 555 - 525

Step 2: Simplify the Expression

555 - 525 30

Now, we can further simplify as follows:

30 - 30 0

Final result: 0

Conclusion

In conclusion, the expression 555-5-25 evaluates to 0 when solved according to the BODMAS rule. This method ensures that the order of operations is preserved, leading to accurate and consistent results.

Understanding the BODMAS rule is essential in solving complex mathematical expressions and is a fundamental skill in mathematics and beyond.