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ASVAB · Number Properties

Evaluate: 6 + 3 × 4 − 2

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

16

  1. A 20
  2. B 16
  3. C 28
  4. D 34

Why this is the answer

Use ORDER OF OPERATIONS (PEMDAS): multiplication before addition/subtraction. 3 × 4 = 12 first. Then: 6 + 12 − 2 = 18 − 2 = 16. ASVAB Mathematics Knowledge tests order of operations.

Pemdas: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (left to right), Addition/Subtraction (left to right).

Common error: working strictly left to right (6 + 3 = 9, × 4 = 36, − 2 = 34) is WRONG — multiplication must come before addition. The correct answer is 16. Always do multiplication/division before addition/subtraction.

Source: ASVAB Mathematics Knowledge — Order of Operations

Practice more questions

This question is from our ASVAB Practice Tests practice test. Take the full practice test to test your knowledge across all Number Properties and other topics.

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About this topic: Number Properties

Number properties cover primes and composites, factors and multiples, LCM and GCF, order of operations, divisibility rules, integers and absolute value — the vocabulary and rules the rest of the section assumes. This is one of 7 Mathematics Knowledge questions on number properties, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our ASVAB exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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