Problem 201 - Prealgebra

Question

In the following exercises, simplify. $$ 256-184 $$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

72

Step 1: Identify the Problem

The given exercise requires the simplification of the expression: 256 - 184

Step 2: Subtract the Numbers

Compute the subtraction by subtracting 184 from 256. Perform the subtraction operation: 256 - 184 = 72

Step 3: Write the Simplified Result

The simplified form of the expression 256 - 184 is 72.

Key Concepts

Simplification

Simplification is the process of reducing an expression to its simplest form. It usually involves basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. In this exercise, we simplify the expression by subtracting two numbers.

To simplify, follow these steps:

• Identify the numbers or variables involved
• Determine the arithmetic operation (e.g., addition, subtraction)
• Perform the operation methodically

Here, we recognize the expression as 256 - 184. Our goal is to find out what 256 becomes when 184 is taken away from it.

Basic Arithmetic Operations

Basic arithmetic operations are the foundation of all math calculations. These operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Subtracting integers, as shown in this exercise, is one of the primary operations.

When performing any arithmetic operation, especially subtraction, you should:

• Ensure you have a clear understanding of what each number represents
• Align the numbers properly if you are calculating manually
• Carry out the operation step-by-step for accuracy

In this case, we subtract 184 from 256, a straightforward subtraction that simplifies the given expression.

Subtraction

Subtraction is the operation of finding the difference between two numbers. When subtracting integers like in our example, it is important to understand how to break down the calculation.

Follow these basic steps for subtraction:

• Write down the numbers with the larger number on top
• Subtract the digits from right to left
• Borrow from the next column if necessary

For instance, in 256 - 184, we subtract the right-most digits (6 - 4), then the middle digits (5 - 8, which requires borrowing), and finally the left-most digits (2 - 1). This gives us a final result of 72. Simplifying through subtraction makes expressions easier to understand and work with.