Regarding the term 4(V)^2 in the formula, which statement is true about the order of operations?

Regarding the term 4(V)^2 in the formula, which statement is true about the order of operations?

• A. V is squared after multiplying by 4
• B. V is squared first, then multiplied by 4
• C. V is cube, then multiplied by 4
• D. V is square root, then multiplied by 4

Answer: (B)

The key idea is how the order of operations handles exponents versus multiplication. In 4(V)^2, you first square the value inside the parentheses, giving V^2, and then multiply by 4. So it’s interpreted as 4 × (V^2). Exponentiation has higher precedence than multiplication, which is why V is squared before the multiplication by 4. For a quick check, if V = 2, you get V^2 = 4, then 4 × 4 = 16. The notation does not indicate cubing or taking a square root, and the multiplication by 4 is outside the squaring, so it occurs after squaring.

The key idea is how the order of operations handles exponents versus multiplication. In 4(V)^2, you first square the value inside the parentheses, giving V^2, and then multiply by 4. So it’s interpreted as 4 × (V^2). Exponentiation has higher precedence than multiplication, which is why V is squared before the multiplication by 4. For a quick check, if V = 2, you get V^2 = 4, then 4 × 4 = 16. The notation does not indicate cubing or taking a square root, and the multiplication by 4 is outside the squaring, so it occurs after squaring.