a.

First, we can simplify the expression inside the parentheses: . Now, we substitute that back into the equation: . When we add those two numbers together, we find that . So, the final answer is .

In mathematics, understanding the order of operations is key to solving problems effectively. Remember to solve any expressions inside parentheses first, followed by addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It’s often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction).

Another fun tip is to always double-check your calculations! It’s easy to make small mistakes when adding, so take a moment to verify your work. You can do this by breaking the numbers into smaller parts; for instance, adding 50 and 60 first, then adding the leftover 1 and 5. This technique helps catch errors and reinforces your understanding!