PracticeTestVault review illustration for Number sense: order of operations on GED Mathematical Reasoning Review: Number sense: order of operations

PracticeTestVault resource center

GED Mathematical Reasoning Review: Number sense: order of operations

Review number sense: order of operations for this GED Mathematical Reasoning question with the key prompt clue, correct-answer reasoning, distractor checks, and sources to verify next.

Find matching practice tests Back to Resource Center

This question-specific review guide is tied to the answer reasoning for a PracticeTestVault item. Use it after you answer the question so the review stays focused on what the prompt actually tested.

What this question is testing

Objective: Number sense: order of operations

Prompt focus: Evaluate the expression 4 plus 3 times (8 minus 5).

Why the correct answer works

13

Parentheses give 3, multiplication gives 9, and adding 4 yields 13.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails

The tempting wrong answer usually loses because it skips the key condition, priority, or evidence in the prompt.

Plain-language takeaway

Using order of operations, first compute inside the parentheses to get 3, then multiply 3 times 3 to get 9, then add 4 to get 13.

Simple analogy

Think of number sense: order of operations like following a short checklist: identify the clue, confirm the rule, and then make the move that fits this exact scenario.

How to review it before a retake

  • Underline the command word and name what the question is asking before rereading the choices.
  • Compare the correct answer against the closest distractor and write the exact detail that separates them.
  • Retest this objective with a fresh question without looking at the rationale first.

Sources to verify next