BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach Starts Oct 17
Chris Peckover, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Chris Peckover, 100th-Percentile GMAT Scorer

Oct 17 · Chris Peckover
Sat · 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM ET
Oct 20 · Chris Peckover
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Oct 25 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 1:00 to 4:00 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemand 5 seats left Start anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 559 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

PEMDAS and Parenthesis

Problem Solving — algebra and arithmetic (GMAT Focus Edition)
Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2014 5:24 pm
by ntquigley » Sat Oct 24, 2015 9:09 am
Question: When can parenthesis "go away"?

For example:
(x+15)+(3x-5)=180

The solution is to remove the parenthesis, and solve this:
x+15+3x-5=180

Obviously that is easy to solve. My question is WHY. How do I know when the parenthesis can disappear and when they cannot?

Here is the simple sample question: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat- ... /video/859
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Quantitative Reasoning |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sat Oct 24, 2015 9:21 am
Here's a free video that might help - https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat- ... /video/949

NOTE: The part you're interested in starts around 4:00

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Sat Oct 24, 2015 11:24 am
Hi ntquigley,

One of the standard rules in arithmetic is that you can combine LIKE terms.

When dealing with parentheses, there's often an 'interim' step that you have to go through BEFORE you combine terms.

As an example, I'm going to use your equation and modify it a bit...

(X+15) + 2(3X-5)=180

Notice how the second parenthesis is multiplied by 2. THAT math needs to be done before the like terms are combined...

X + 15 + 6X - 10 = 180

NOW, you can combine like terms:

7X + 5 = 180
7X = 175
X = 25

If you're dealing with parentheses in which you have like terms and no additional 'steps', then you can remove the parenthesis and combine the terms.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1