How to solve 14 - (3 + 2) on the HSPT math section.

Why 14 - (3 + 2) Equals 9: A Simple Moment of Clarity in HSPT Math

Let’s be honest: sometimes math feels like a dance where everyone has their own step. Some folks jump straight to the subtraction, others get tangled in the parentheses. If you’ve ever paused at a problem like 14 - (3 + 2) and wondered what to tackle first, you’re not alone. Here’s a straightforward way to think about it, plus a few ideas that help make this kind of question feel less mysterious.

A quick, friendly walkthrough

The expression is 14 - (3 + 2). The parentheses tell you exactly where to start. They’re like a mini-task you must finish before you can finish the big task.

• Step 1: Solve inside the parentheses. 3 + 2 equals 5.

• Step 2: Replace the parentheses with that result. The problem becomes 14 - 5.

• Step 3: Do the subtraction. 14 minus 5 equals 9.

So, the correct answer is 9. Simple, right? But the real value here isn’t just finding the right number — it’s understanding why that number is right. This is all about the order of operations, a set of rules that keeps math from turning into a big jumble.

Why parentheses matter, in plain language

Think of parentheses as a clear instruction to do something first. In many math problems, you’ll see a mix of additions, subtractions, multiplications, and maybe exponents. Without a consistent rule, two people could reach two totally different answers from the same expression. That’s not what we want in math land.

Here’s the gist:

• First, do whatever’s inside parentheses (or brackets).

• Then handle exponents or powers, if there are any.

• Next, deal with multiplication and division from left to right.

• Finally, handle addition and subtraction from left to right.

In our example, there are no exponents or multiplication signs, so the only real decision is whether to do the addition inside the parentheses before the subtraction outside. The parentheses tell you to do that 3 + 2 first, which gives 5, and then you subtract that 5 from 14. Easy to follow when you take it step by step.

A tiny trick to check your work

If you ever feel uncertain after you finish, there’s a quick check you can do without reworking the whole thing. Take your final answer and see if you can reverse the operation to get back to the starting number.

• We got 9 as the result.

• Now add the number that was inside the parentheses: 9 + (3 + 2) = 9 + 5 = 14, which matches the original number.

If the reverse check lands you back at the starting point, you’re likely on the right track. It isn’t a guarantee for every kind of problem, but it’s a handy little sanity check for problems like this.

Common pitfalls to watch for

Even if the math seems simple, it’s easy to stumble on something that looks similar but isn’t quite the same. Here are a few things students often trip over with expressions like this:

• Skipping the inside. It’s tempting to jump to 14 - 3 - 2 or to forget the parentheses exist at all. The moment you ignore the inside, you’re not following the order of operations, and the answer can shift.

• Mixing up the order. Sometimes people know “parentheses first” but still trip up on the next steps. If there were exponents or a multiplication in the mix, you’d handle those before subtraction and addition. Here, we only deal with the inner addition and the outer subtraction, but that’s a good mental habit to carry.

• Not using mental math efficiently. It’s perfectly fine to write out 3 + 2 = 5 on scratch paper if you need to, but you’ll often save time by spotting the sum of numbers near 10 or easy complements (like 14 is close to 10 plus 4).

A real-world vibe: why this matters beyond the page

This isn’t just about plugging numbers into a box. It’s about logic and clarity. The same rule — do the inside first, then the outside — crops up in daily life too. Imagine you have a small jar of marbles and a rule that says you must add up the first five marbles, then subtract that total from a larger stash. Knowing how to break the problem into bite-sized steps makes the task feel manageable, almost comforting. The same mental habit helps you read menus, schedule a tiny project, or plan a quick DIY fix around the house.

A few more expressions in the same family

If you’re comfortable with the pattern in 14 - (3 + 2), you’ll likely recognize similar structures elsewhere. Here are a handful of related expressions you might see, with the same logic at work:

• 20 - (4 + 7) equals 9. You start inside the parentheses: 4 + 7 = 11; then 20 - 11 = 9.

• 16 - (5 + 3) equals 8. Inside: 5 + 3 = 8; then 16 - 8 = 8.

• 9 - (2 + 2) equals 5. Inside: 2 + 2 = 4; then 9 - 4 = 5.

If you test these in your head, you’ll feel how the rule behaves in different numbers while staying friendly to your intuition.

Making it feel natural: analogies that click

Here’s a quick analogy you can carry around in your head. Think of the numbers as guests at a party and the parentheses as a special door that must be opened first. The guests inside the door must enter, and only after they’re in can you deal with the rest of the lineup. Once those inside-the-door folks have settled, you turn to the remaining guests and finish the job. This little story helps remind you that the inside group needs attention before the outside subtraction.

A few practical tips to keep the flow steady

• Read the problem aloud to yourself. That tiny pause helps you spot the parts you must tackle first.

• Circle the parentheses the moment you see them. It’s a visual cue that the inside belongs to the first step.

• If you’re using paper, write the inside result clearly (5 in our example) and place it back into the expression. A clean draft reduces mistakes.

• Don’t be afraid to use a quick scrap calculation to check yourself, especially when you’re juggling more numbers or a mix of operations.

Why this matters for the bigger picture

Math is a language, and like any language, it has its grammar. The order of operations is a core piece of that grammar. Mastery here pays off in more than math tests; it builds a reliable framework for solving puzzles, interpreting data, or even analyzing a problem in science, technology, or engineering contexts. When you can slip into the habit of solving inside the parentheses first, you gain a confidence that helps you approach tougher problems with less hesitation and more curiosity.

A little final nudge to keep the rhythm

If you’re ever tempted to skip ahead, pause and ask yourself: what’s inside the door? What must I solve first to keep the logic clean? The rhythm of math doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a steady pace, you can let the numbers unfold in a way that feels almost effortless.

To recap, the essential move in 14 - (3 + 2) is straightforward: add inside the parentheses to get 5, then subtract that 5 from 14 to land at 9. The same principle shows up again and again in many math problems, so building comfort here pays dividends down the line.

A quick closing thought

Math often rewards patient, deliberate steps more than flash speed. The small discipline of respecting parentheses can turn a tricky moment into a moment of clarity. The number 9 isn’t just the answer to a single problem — it’s a reminder that the math behind it is logical, consistent, and, yes, pretty approachable when you give it a little room to breathe.

If you want to explore a few more problems that hum along with the same idea, try a couple of these in your head and notice how the process feels:

• 12 - (1 + 4) = 7

• 18 - (9 + 2) = 7

Each one reinforces the sense that inside-first is a reliable path, and the path is what makes the journey through math feel less intimidating and more like figuring out a neat little puzzle with a friend.