Evaluate the equation –2 + 4 × (–6)

Concept: In any arithmetic expression, multiplication and division are carried out before addition and subtraction, unless brackets explicitly specify a different grouping — this is the standard order of operations (BODMAS). The parentheses around –6 here only mark it as a negative number; they do not change this order.

1. Identify the operations present in the expression –2 + 4 × (–6): one addition and one multiplication.

2. By the order of operations, resolve the multiplication first: 4 × (–6) = –24.

3. Substitute this result back into the expression: –2 + (–24).

4. Add the two signed values: –2 + (–24) = –26.

Cross-check: both terms in the final addition are negative, so the sum can also be found by adding their magnitudes and keeping the negative sign: –(2 + 24) = –26 — the same result by a second route.

Result: The expression evaluates to –26.