Basic Mathematics for College Students

108 Chapter 1 Whole Numbers

Using Your CALCULATOR Order of Operations and Parentheses

Calculators have the rules for order of operations built in. A left parenthesis

key and a right parenthesis key should be used when grouping symbols,

including a fraction bar, are needed. For example, to evaluate the

parentheses keys must be used, as shown below.

240 20 5

On some calculator models, the key is pressed instead of for the

result to be displayed.

If the parentheses are not entered, the calculator will find and then

subtract 5 from that result, to produce the wrong answer, 7.

240  20

ENTER 

 (  )  16

240

20  5 ,

( )

“Education does pay. It has a high rate of return for students from all racial/ethnic

groups, for men and for women, and for those from all family backgrounds. It also

has a high rate of return for society.”

The College Board,Trends in Higher EducationSeries

Attending school requires an investment of time, effort, and sacrifice. Is it all

worth it? The graph below shows how average weekly earnings in the U.S.

increase as the level of education increases. Begin at the bottom of the graph

and work upward. Use the given clues to determine each of the missing weekly

earnings amounts.

THINK IT THROUGH Education Pays

Doctoral degree

Professional degree

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Associate degree

Some college, no degree

High-school graduate

Less than a high school diploma

$70 increase

$262 increase

$178 increase

$247 increase

$57 increase

$79 increase

$176 increase

???????

$428 per week

Average earnings per week in 2007

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey)

1. 102 2. 76 3. 40 4. 5. a. 19 b. 7 6. 256 7. 42 8. 18


2. 2 10.290 lb

4,720¢$47.20

ANSWERS TO SELF CHECKS