{[(2 + 3) × 4] − 5}
Some math expressions use parentheses, brackets, and braces. They tell us which part to do first.
Here is our expression — a brace holding a bracket holding parentheses, all nested together.
The order is always inside-out: parentheses first, then brackets, then braces.
Start with the innermost group — the parentheses.
Two plus three is five. We rewrite the expression with a five where the parentheses used to be.
Next we do the brackets — five times four.
Five times four is twenty. Now the expression is just braces around twenty minus five.
Last, the braces.
Twenty minus five is fifteen.
The whole expression equals fifteen. Always work from the innermost group outward!