Help solving Gen Math test question

[jcpope]

I just joined IC today for the first time. Played around with the Gen Math flashcards and for the life of me cannot figure out how they get -2 as the answer to question 36. Can someone explain why the correct answer isnt +2?

Question 36 of 64

Solve the following equation: -2 - (-2 - (-2))

A. 2
B. -2
C. 6
D. -6

Detailed Explanation:
-2. When you have more than one set of brackets, do the innermost brackets first.

-2 + (0) = -2

[jcpope]

Figured it out. I know from grade school to count the - signs and if odd the answer is negative and if even the answer is positive. Just not sure why it looked wrong to me. Might have something to do with solving math problems at midnight after a very long day?

[irnbru]

Nice job, jcpope.

There are many ways to skin a cat, as you've found. Unless it's a meaningful term, a straight-forward approach is to start at the inner-most nested term and work 'out'. However, experience and practice helps to get a feel for the right approach by inspection.