Nicole tried to evaluate an expression. Here is her work:
\begin{tabular}{rlr}
& \( (9-7+1) \cdot 5^{2} \) & \\
\( = \) & \( (2+1) \cdot 5^{2} \) & Step 1 \\
\( = \) & \( 3 \cdot 5^{2} \) & Step 2 \\
\( = \) & \( 3 \cdot 25 \) & Step 3 \\
\( = \) & 75 & Step 4
\end{tabular}
Is Nicole's work correct?
No, Nicole made a mistake going from the given expression to Step 1. Nicole should have added 7 and 1 before subtracting. The order of operations says to add before you subtract.
No, Nicole made a mistake going from Step 2 to Step 3. Nicole should have multiplied 3 and 5 before evaluating the exponent. The order of operations says to multiply before you evaluate exponents.
Yes, Nicole's work is correct.