How to evaluate 3(4 + 5) - 6: a simple guide to HSPT math questions

Title: A Clear Look at 3(4 + 5) - 6: What It Really Means

Here’s a little math moment you’ll recognize when you’re navigating the HSPT topics that show up on the test. A neat expression, a couple of handy rules, and a result you can trust. Let’s break down 3(4 + 5) - 6 in a way that sticks.

Let me explain the first move

When you see 3(4 + 5), the first thing to do is the stuff inside the parentheses. In math-speak, that’s applying the order of operations: parentheses first. So you add inside the brackets: 4 + 5 equals 9. Easy, right? It’s like you’re tidying up the inside of a box before you use what’s inside.

Distribute, then multiply

A quick way to see why this works is to think about the distributive property, which is a handy friend in many HSPT problems. The idea is: 3(4 + 5) is the same as 3×4 plus 3×5. That’s 12 plus 15, which equals 27. It’s the same end result as if you did the inside first and then multiplied, just shown in a different order.

Now the final step

After you’ve turned 3(4 + 5) into either 3×9 or 27, you still have the minus 6 lurking at the end. So you take 27 and subtract 6. 27 − 6 equals 21. That gives you the final answer.

So what’s the correct choice here?

The math says the result is 21. In the multiple-choice setup, that corresponds to option B. It’s a good reminder that a lot of the time, mistakes come from skipping steps or mixing up the order of operations, not from “getting a trickier problem” than you can handle.

A quick reality check: why some people get 24 wrong

In a moment like this, it’s easy to mix things up. Some folks look at 3(4 + 5) and think, “3 times 4 plus 5” or they forget to subtract 6 at the end. Others might try to distribute and then forget to apply the final minus 6. The big idea to guard against is this: always do inside the parentheses first, then multiply, then subtract. When in doubt, rewrite the steps on paper. A small scratch pad goes a long way.

How this ties into HSPT math topics

Problems like this pop up because the test likes to mix order of operations with basic algebra ideas. You’ll see:

• Parentheses as the first-order rule

• The distributive property in action

• The little chain that goes: inside parentheses → multiply → subtract

These aren’t just “practice” drills; they’re building blocks for more complex reasoning you’ll encounter later, whether you’re solving word problems, geometry questions, or simple algebra.

A few sentences you can say out loud to yourself

• Inside first, then multiply.

• 3(4 + 5) = 3×9 = 27, and 27 − 6 = 21.

• If you’re unsure, do the steps one by one and check that the numbers line up.

A practical way to think about it

If you’re more of a visual person, picture it like this: you have a box with three identical helpers (the 3). They’re all handed the sum of 4 and 5 inside a smaller box. First, add the two numbers inside the tiny box. Then, give that total to each of the three helpers (that’s the multiplication). Finally, pull away 6—the last little cut from the total. What’s left is the final result. It’s a mental model you can carry into similar problems, not just this one.

What this means for study habits (without turning it into a drill-sergeant routine)

• Keep the steps honest and explicit. Saying them out loud or writing them down helps you avoid slipping on the order.

• Use a quick reverse-check. If you get 21, can you rebuild the journey back to 21 from the end? In this case, 21 + 6 = 27, and 27 = 3 × 9, which confirms the route.

• See the pattern. The same pattern shows up when you have a(b + c) − d. Do the inside, multiply, then subtract. Recognizing that pattern can turn a shaky moment into a confident one.

• Don’t rush through the parentheses. It’s tempting to speed past that bit, but the inside always sets up the rest.

A little digression you might enjoy

Sometimes math feels like a kitchen recipe. If you’ve ever followed a recipe and added ingredients in the wrong order, you know the result isn’t right. The HSPT topics aren’t about memorizing fancy tricks; they’re about getting comfortable with the order in which things happen. That patience—letting parentheses do their job first—stays useful whether you’re cooking, tinkering with a project, or solving a real-world puzzle.

More ideas to grow comfortable with these ideas

• Practice similar patterns in bite-sized chunks. Try expressions like 2(3 + 7) − 4 or 5(1 + 2) − 3 to see the same rhythm.

• When you’re unsure, rewrite the expression as a line of steps: “Compute inside, multiply, then subtract.” It’s a guarantee that helps.

• Mix in some word problems. If a recipe calls for 3 times a sum of ingredients, you’re already practicing the same mental steps in a real-world context.

A final thought that keeps you grounded

Math isn’t a maze meant to trap you; it’s a set of rules that, once you know them, make sense. The expression 3(4 + 5) − 6 is a tiny example of how order, distribution, and subtraction weave together. When you see that weave clearly, you’ll recognize similar threads in other problems—whether they show up in a test setting, a classroom assignment, or a curious puzzle you stumble upon while scrolling.

If you ever feel a twinge of doubt, remember this: you can walk through the steps calmly, check the math, and arrive at a solid answer. In this case, 21 is the right end of the line, and you got there by honoring the rules, not by guessing.

So next time you encounter an expression with parentheses and a few multiplications, take a breath, identify the inside, apply the distribution, and finish with the subtraction. It’s a small sequence, but it unlocks a lot of math ahead. And yes, that little sequence will keep turning up in different forms on the HSPT and beyond—consider it a reliable compass for math thinking.