1.03 Order of Operations

Order of Operations

Let's look at the directions to cook up a good math problem.

Many of you remember PEMDAS.

1. Parentheses
2. Exponents
3. Multiplication or Division (whichever one comes first)
4. Addition or Subtraction (whichever one comes first)

These are the steps that we will use to solve problems using the order of operations.

Let's look at some examples. Select the equation that represents the correct order of operations.

Example #1

Parentheses ( )

Select the equation that represents the correct order of operations.

6 × (5 + 3)

1. 6 × 8 = 48
2. 30 + 3 = 33

Example #2

Exponents (x²)

Select the equation that represents the correct order of operations.

5 × 2²

1. 5 × 4 = 20
2. 10² = 100

Example #3

Multiply (×) or Divide (÷) before you Add (+) or Subtract (−)

Select the equation that represents the correct order of operations.

2 + 5 × 3

1. 2 + 15 = 17
2. 7 × 3 = 21

Example #4

Add (+) or Subtract (−) from left to right

Select the equation that represents the correct order of operations.

7 − 3 + 4

1. 4 + 4 = 8
2. 7 − 7 = 0