Order of Operations

Core Concepts

Master the rules for solving math problems in the correct order: Parentheses, Multiply/Divide, Add/Subtract.

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Order of Operations

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What is the 'order of operations'?
It is a set of rules that dictates the correct sequence for solving problems with multiple operations. This is often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).
What does the 'P' in PEMDAS stand for, and what does it mean?
P stands for Parentheses. It means you must solve any calculations inside parentheses `()` first.
What does the 'MD' in PEMDAS stand for, and what is the rule for it?
MD stands for Multiplication and Division. They have equal priority. You solve them from left to right as they appear in the problem.
What does the 'AS' in PEMDAS stand for, and what is the rule for it?
AS stands for Addition and Subtraction. They have equal priority. You solve them from left to right as they appear in the problem, after handling MD.
In the expression \(12 - 5 + 2\), which operation do you perform first?
Addition and Subtraction have equal priority, so you work from left to right. First, you calculate \(12 - 5\).
In the expression \(24 \div 6 \times 2\), which operation do you perform first?
Multiplication and Division have equal priority, so you work from left to right. First, you calculate \(24 \div 6\).
Solve this expression using the order of operations: \(5 + 3 \times 4\)
First, multiply \(3 \times 4 = 12\). Then, add \(5 + 12 = 17\). The answer is \(17\).
Solve this expression using the order of operations: \(20 - 10 \div 2\)
First, divide \(10 \div 2 = 5\). Then, subtract \(20 - 5 = 15\). The answer is \(15\).
Solve this expression: \(4 \times 5 + 6 \div 3\)
First, do multiplication and division: \(4 \times 5 = 20\) and \(6 \div 3 = 2\). Then, add the results: \(20 + 2 = 22\). The answer is \(22\).
Solve this expression: \(18 \div 3 \times 5\)
Work left to right. First, divide \(18 \div 3 = 6\). Then, multiply \(6 \times 5 = 30\). The answer is \(30\).
Solve this expression: \(16 - 7 + 5\)
Work left to right. First, subtract \(16 - 7 = 9\). Then, add \(9 + 5 = 14\). The answer is \(14\).
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