Evaluate (m + n) x p when m = 776, n = 90 and p = 4.

Step-by-step solution

1. 1

   Substitute, keeping the brackets in place. Replacing each letter by its value gives

   $(776+90)\times 4$

   The brackets must survive the substitution. Dropping them would give $776+90\times 4$, which by order of operations is $776+360=1136$ — a completely different number.

2. 2

   Evaluate the bracket first. Addition inside brackets outranks the multiplication outside:

   $776+90=866$

3. 3

   Multiply the result by $p=4$. Break the product into place-value pieces if you are doing it by hand:

   $866\times 4=(800+60+6)\times 4=3200+240+24=3464$

4. 4

   Check with the distributive law. The same expression can be expanded as $mp+np$:

   $776\times 4+90\times 4=3104+360=3464$

   Two independent routes give $3464$, so the value is confirmed.