Order Operations F65Ba2

1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$(-\frac{1}{4}) + 2(9.75 - 0.75)$$ using the order of operations. 2. **Recall the order of operations:** Parentheses first, then multiplication, and finally addition. 3. **Simplify inside the parentheses:** $$9.75 - 0.75 = 9$$ 4. **Rewrite the expression:** $$(-\frac{1}{4}) + 2 \times 9$$ 5. **Multiply:** $$2 \times 9 = 18$$ 6. **Rewrite the expression:** $$(-\frac{1}{4}) + 18$$ 7. **Add the terms:** Convert $$18$$ to a fraction with denominator 4: $$18 = \frac{72}{4}$$ So, $$-\frac{1}{4} + \frac{72}{4} = \frac{72 - 1}{4} = \frac{71}{4}$$ 8. **Convert to mixed number:** $$\frac{71}{4} = 17 \frac{3}{4}$$ **Final answer:** $$17 \frac{3}{4}$$