Order of Operations

Order of Operations

Order of Operations 150 150 SchoolTutoring Academy

In mathematics an expression is solved by a rule known as order of operations in which operations on terms are performed following a certain order.

According to order of operations

Do things in the Parenthesis first.
Example: 4 × (5 + 3) = 4 × 8 = 32
NOT 4 × (5 + 3) = 20 + 5 = 25

Then solve exponents (powers and roots).
Example: 2 + 23 = 2 + 8 = 10
NOT 2 + 23 = 43 = 64

Multiply or Divide.
Example: 4 + 5 × 3 = 4 + 15 = 19
NOT 4 + 5 × 3 = 9 × 3 = 27

Add or Subtract.

Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction have same rank and go from left to right.

PEMDAS is a key that helps in order of operations.
Here,

P means Parenthesis first
E means Exponents
MD means Multiplication and Division (left to right)
AS means Addition and Subtraction (left to right)
PEMDAS can also be memorised by using the phrase “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally”

Example:
4 × (8 – 3) + 8 ÷ 22 – 5
P: (8 – 3) = 5
4 × 5 + 8 ÷ 22 – 5
E: 22 = 4
4 × 5 + 8 ÷ 4 – 5

M and D: 4 × 5 = 20
8 ÷ 4 = 2
20 + 2 – 5
A and S:
22 – 5 = 17

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